Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Tanah Rata? 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: Karachi or Tanah Rata?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical 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 dayKarachi $26Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, 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 Karachi and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Tanah Rata $29
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 Karachi or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Tanah Rata $44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
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.Karachi $5.07Tanah Rata $34
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
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 dayKarachi $3.35Tanah Rata $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Tanah Rata?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 1660 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Tanah Rata?
Karachi 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 Karachi or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 30°C (86°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Tanah Rata. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Tanah Rata. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
Both Tanah Rata and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Karachi is cooler than Tanah Rata. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karachi in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
Both Tanah Rata and Karachi during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
In April, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Tanah Rata. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Karachi
| Karachi | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.