Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Tanah Rata?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayIslamabad $42Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.68Tanah Rata $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
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
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- 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
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Tanah Rata $44
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.Islamabad $9.48Tanah Rata $34
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
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 dayIslamabad $2.88Tanah Rata $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Tanah Rata?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Tanah Rata?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Tanah Rata. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Tanah Rata. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
Both Tanah Rata and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
Both Tanah Rata and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
In the winter, Islamabad is much colder than Tanah Rata. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Tanah Rata. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°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.