Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Xiamen? 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Xiamen $6.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $155
- Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $87Xiamen $46
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Xiamen $16
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 Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Xiamen, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Xiamen. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Xiamen. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen and Tanah Rata during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Xiamen. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (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.