Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Kao-hsiung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung 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: Kao-hsiung or Tanah Rata?
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKao-hsiung $102Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $102, 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 Kao-hsiung and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKao-hsiung $56Tanah Rata $67
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKao-hsiung $112Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kao-hsiung $11Tanah Rata $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Explore Kaohsiung - 8 Hours Private Transfers - Best of Kaohsiung Sites: $179
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $49
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Taitung Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $152
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung International Airport and Kaohsiung City Transfer: $41
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $71
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $71
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- 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 Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Kao-hsiung 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKao-hsiung $32Tanah Rata $44
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
-
Dinner for Two$5.66
-
Dessert$0.63
-
Lunch$3.98
-
Afternoon tea$3.88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kao-hsiung $20Tanah Rata $34
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: $75
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Day Tour to Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower and Anping Castle : $87
- Tainan Siraya Nature and Culture One Day Tour: $90
- Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour: $100
- Half-day tour Kaohsiung: $103
- Kaohsiung Walking Day Tour: $130
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $150
- Kaohsiung /Pingtung Day Tour : $150
- Private Tour Tainan Ancient Capital and Wushantou Reservoir: $156
- Private Tour Alishan Culture and Ecology from Kaohsiung: $156
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:
-
Tea Factory Visit$5.66
-
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKao-hsiung $10Tanah Rata $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kao-hsiung and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Kao-hsiung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kao-hsiung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Tanah Rata?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.
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.