Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Krabi or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Tanah Rata can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Tanah Rata?
Krabi
Krabi is both a large town and region in southern Thailand. While the region is covered in beaches, if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi (where you'll find famous places such as Railay, Ao Nang, Haad Yao, and plenty of others). Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies, and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience. There's a good chance you'll be passing through on your way to one of the famous beaches, so take advantage of your brief time here.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Krabi Prices
Thailand PricesTanah Rata Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrabi $74Tanah Rata $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $74, while the average daily cost in Tanah Rata is $192. 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 Krabi and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $42Tanah Rata $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $84Tanah Rata $152
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Krabi 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: Krabi Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $4.37Tanah Rata $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.42
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$3.14
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.51
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Longboat Taxi from Town$6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV Jungle Adventure in Krabi with Roundtrip Transfer: $38
- Ao Nang Kayaking at Klong Rud with Hotel Transfer: $26
- Ao Nang to Krabi Private Transfer: $30
- Aonang any hotel to Donsak Pier Private transfer: $135
- Aonang any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $101
- From Khaolak : One Way Private Transfer Phuket,Krabi and More: $87
- Full Day Krabi Jungle Tour With Elephant Trekking Transfers: $83
- Private Van (3-8 Pers) R/T Transfer Airport-Krabi-Airport: $60
- KRABI:Private Car Round Trip Transfer Krabi Airport-Ao-nang Beach-Krabi Airport: $60
- Krabi ATV Extreme Experience with Transfer and Adventure: $33
- Krabi Airport (KBV) Private Transfer: $13
- Krabi Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $155
- Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- 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 to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Krabi 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 dayKrabi $25Tanah Rata $87
Typical Food Prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$7.85
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Drinks on the Beach$7.54
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$19
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$35
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Mango Shake$1.57
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Pad Thai$3.14
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Fruit from the Market$1.88
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Pancakes$3.14
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Coffee & Cake$2.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Snorkeling and Sunset to Krabi 7 Islands by Longtail Boat + Buffet BBQ Dinner: $37
- Hands on Half-day Cooking Class by Authentic Thai Cooking: $39
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Buffet Dinner & Night Snorkeling: $39
- Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Smart Cook: $40
- Penny Thai Cooking Class Krabi: $45
- Krabi Kitchens Food Tour with 15 Plus Tastings: $45
- Krabi Bites Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset & BBQ Dinner (Join Tour): $45
- Krabi 7 Islands Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner & Plankton Night : $45
- Thai Charm Cooking School Krabi: $46
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang: $46
- Kayaking and BBQ Dinner On The Beach Ao Thalane From Krabi: $48
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$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krabi $12Tanah Rata $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Thai-English Book$10
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Thai Massages (for Two)$25
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Bikini & Sarong$19
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$14
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$7.85
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Kayak Trip (for Two)$60
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- DIY tour - Finest selection of Krabi Hidden Gems: $8.17
- Railay Phra Nang and Diamond Cave Sunset tour: $21
- Krabi 4 Islands Snorkeling and Thale Waek Full Day Tour : $21
- ATV Adventure in Krabi Thailand: $22
- Krabi ATV adventure tour 1 Hour : $23
- Blue Dragon Cabaret Ticket Dazzling Night from Krabi: $24
- Klong Root Kayaking and Swimming with ATV Tour From Krabi : $24
- Ao Thalane Kayaking Mangrove Forests Adventure from Krabi : $24
- 4 Islands Day Tour from Krabi: $25
- Krabi 4 Islands Shared Tour with Lunch and Guide: $25
- ATV Adventure in Thrills Await: $28
- Railay Beach and Caves Tour from Ao Nang - Half Day: $28
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$6.42
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$24
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: $35
- 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 Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $5.00Tanah Rata $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer$2.83
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Cocktails (for Two)$9.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi 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 Krabi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krabi or Tanah Rata?
Krabi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi 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 Krabi or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
Both Tanah Rata and Krabi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Tanah Rata. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrabi 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Krabi is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Krabi is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrabi 27°C (81°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Tanah Rata. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Krabi is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Tanah Rata. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Krabi is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krabi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrabi 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
Both Tanah Rata and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi 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. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In April, Krabi usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrabi 29°C (84°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Krabi
| Krabi | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.