Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra 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 Petra and Tanah Rata can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Tanah Rata?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, 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 dayPetra $125Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Petra and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Tanah Rata $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
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 Petra or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Tanah Rata $44
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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.Petra $47Tanah Rata $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
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 dayPetra $15Tanah Rata $19
When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Petra is in Middle East and Tanah Rata is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Tanah Rata?
Petra has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra 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 Petra or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's very hot in Petra this time of the year. Petra is a little warmer than Tanah Rata in the summer. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Petra as well as Tanah Rata. Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Tanah Rata. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Petra is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Petra in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
Both Tanah Rata and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra 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, Petra usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Petra is generally much colder than Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 15°C (59°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Petra or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
Both Tanah Rata and Petra during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in April than Tanah Rata. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Petra is cooler than Tanah Rata in the spring. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 25°C (76°F) in April, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Petra
| Petra | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.