Which place is cheaper, Wollongong or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tanah Rata or Wollongong?
Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in tea plantations. Tanah Rata has many of the area's tourist amenities. ATMS, banks, and the area's main hospital are all found in town. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.
Wollongong
Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesWollongong Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Wollongong $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Wollongong is $144. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tanah Rata and Wollongong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Wollongong $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Wollongong $130
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Wollongong
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Wollongong? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tanah Rata Hotel Prices and Wollongong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Wollongong $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $154
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Wollongong?
Prices for flights to both Wollongong and Tanah Rata change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayTanah Rata $87Wollongong $53
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
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Dinner for Two$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
Typical Food Prices in Wollongong
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wollongong:
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Lunch$7.85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Wollongong $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tanah Rata
Here are a few typical costs in Tanah Rata for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tea Factory Visit$6.42
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$24
Tours and Activities in Tanah Rata
Here are a few actual costs in Tanah Rata for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $35
- Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Tours and Activities in Wollongong
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wollongong.
- From Sydney: Jervis Bay Tour with Beach, Koalas & Kangaroos: $145
- Sydney: Kiama Costal Private Day Tour with Local Experiences: $562
- Sydney: Private South Coast, Highlands and Kiama Tour: $906
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Wollongong $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Wollongong, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Wollongong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wollongong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wollongong and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tanah Rata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tanah Rata than you might in Wollongong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tanah Rata Expensive? and Is Wollongong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Wollongong?
Wollongong has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Wollongong, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong?
Wollongong has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tanah Rata experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong in the Summer?
Both Wollongong and Tanah Rata during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Wollongong in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.
Tanah Rata usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Wollongongin January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Wollongong 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Wollongong. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Wollongong averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Wollongong 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Wollongong. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Wollongong in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Wollongongin July. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Wollongongin July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Wollongong 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wollongong in the Spring?
Both Wollongong and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Wollongong for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Wollongong in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Wollongongin October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Wollongong 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Wollongong and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Wollongong | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.