Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Hanoi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hanoi or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Tanah Rata can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hanoi or Tanah Rata?
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $49Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $49, while the average daily cost in Tanah Rata is $137. 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 Hanoi and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Tanah Rata? 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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.89Tanah Rata $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.20
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.20
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.40
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Short Taxi Ride$1.36
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- 1 Day Halong Cruise Tour with Transfer and early return to Hanoi: $24
- 1-Way Transfer between Hanoi and Ha Long via Limousine Bus: $22
- 2 Days 1 night Ba Be Lake BEST ADVENTURE: transfer,homestay,boat,kayak,swim,cave: $153
- 2 Days Halong Bay With Budget Cruise - Including Transfer From Hanoi: $148
- 2-Day Adenture Pu Luong Motorbike Tour with Transfer from HANOI : $125
- 2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay With Transfer: $210
- 3-Day Halong Bay Cruise with Round-trip Transfer From Hanoi: $285
- 3-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay 5-Star Cruise & Transfer: $280
- 3-Day Pu Luong Jungle Ride Motorbike Tour Transfer from Hanoi: $200
- 3-Day Sapa Tour from Hanoi by Luxury Limousine Transfer: $201
- 3-Day Sapa Trekking Village With Local Guide & Transfer: $150
- 3-Night Sapa Trek and Homestay with Round Trip Transfer from Hanoi: $158
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Hanoi 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 dayHanoi $13Tanah Rata $44
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$12
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.39
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Bowl of Pho$0.80
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$6.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Street Food Tour (Group/Individual): $5.13
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
- Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter: $19
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Vietnamese Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $24
- Vietnamese Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
- Walking Street Food Tour Small Group with Local Guide: $24
- Guided Half-Day Hanoi Street Food Tour: $25
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$5.66
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Dessert$0.63
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Lunch$3.98
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Afternoon tea$3.88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.51Tanah Rata $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.60
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.60
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National History Museum$1.60
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.80
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus Ticket Cat Ba - Hanoi ( Bus+ Ferry ) - Best Selling: $0.02
- Hanoi Old Quarter Half-day Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Private Walking City Tour in Hanoi : $5.00
- Private Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour: $5.00
- Hanoi Street Food Experience: $5.00
- Half-day Private Walking Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter: $5.00
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City: $5.00
- Craft Village Tour (Quang Phu Cau, Bat Trang,...): $5.13
- Early Morning Tour | Free Private Tour Guide: $5.13
- Culture Exchange with Free Private Tour Guide: $5.13
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$5.66
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$21
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: $33
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Delight Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
- Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.70Tanah Rata $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hanoi Beer and Brewery Tour: $48
- Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Tanah Rata?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Tanah Rata, 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 Hanoi or Tanah Rata?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hanoi or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
Both Tanah Rata and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In July, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Hanoi is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hanoi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHanoi 29°C (84°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
Both Tanah Rata and Hanoi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets less rain in October than Tanah Rata. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Hanoi is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 25°C (77°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHanoi 25°C (77°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Hanoi is much colder than Tanah Rata in the winter. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHanoi 17°C (63°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Tanah Rata. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hanoi usually gets less rain in April than Tanah Rata. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Hanoi is cooler than Tanah Rata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hanoi in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHanoi 24°C (75°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Hanoi
| Hanoi | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 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.