Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hoi An or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Tanah Rata. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Hoi An or Tanah Rata?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 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 dayHoi An $46Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $46, 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 Hoi An and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $21Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $42Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $19Tanah Rata $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.79
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ba Na Hills: Private Car Transfer from Hue, Hoi An & Da Nang: $28
- DAD airport : The private transfer to/from Hoian center: $15
- Da Nang Airport (DAD): Private Transfers to/from Hoi An: $25
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $19
- Da Nang City: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $19
- Da Nang/Market & Old Town Private Tour with Transfer: $41
- From Hoi An/Da Nang: Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son: $9.00
- From My Son Sanctuary Day Trip With Transfer & Lunch: $41
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $8.82
- From Private Transfer to Hue with Photo Stops: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- 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 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
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $9.95Tanah Rata $44
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.99
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Optional Lunch/Dinner: $14
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $22
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $23
- Evening Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $24
- Hoi An : Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Market Tour: $24
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $24
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $24
- Hoi An : Cooking Class W Optional Basket Boat & Market 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.Hoi An $13Tanah Rata $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$148
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Short Boat Ride$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hoi An Ancient Town - Free Walking Tour: $2.05
- Hoi An Ancient Town- Free Walking Tour with Local Guide: $2.05
- Experience Kim Bong Carpentry with Local Artisans: $6.57
- Experience Bamboo Basket Boat on Coconut village w Locals: $6.89
- Da Nang/Hoi An:Experience Basket Boat ride in Coconut Forest: $7.18
- Hoi An Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Bus to My Son Sanctuary with Entrance ticket: $8.00
- Experience the Art of Vietnamese Coffee Making: $11
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Bicycle Tour: $12
- Cam Thanh Tour with Bamboo Basket Boat: $12
- Hoi An : Bamboo Basket Boat Tour: $12
- Basket Boat Experience: $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 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 Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Delight Tour: $61
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $9.06Tanah Rata $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Tanah Rata?
Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Tanah Rata?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Hoi An or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
Both Tanah Rata and Hoi An during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Tanah Rata. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 29°C (85°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Hoi An is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Tanah Rata. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hoi An usually gets less rain in January than Tanah Rata. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Hoi An is cooler than Tanah Rata. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hoi An in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
Both Tanah Rata and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 26°C (80°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.