Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Tanah Rata, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Tanah Rata?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, 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 dayKoh Samet $96Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, 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 Koh Samet and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Tanah 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 Koh Samet or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Koh Samet 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 dayKoh Samet $27Tanah 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.Koh Samet $8.96Tanah Rata $34
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 dayKoh Samet $4.68Tanah Rata $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samet much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samet would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Tanah Rata. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Tanah Rata. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
Both Tanah Rata and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet 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 January, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
Both Tanah Rata and Koh Samet during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Tanah Rata. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.