Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Phuket or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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: Phuket or Tanah Rata?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, 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 Phuket and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Tanah Rata $67
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11Tanah Rata $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
-
Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $70
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $139
- Airport Private Arrival Transfers to Phuket: $45
- Airport Private Departure Transfers from Phuket: $45
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $61
- Arrival Phuket Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Phuket: $37
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $93
- Arrival Transfer Phuket Airport HKT to Talang, Kathu or Muang: $21
- Best Ziplines Adventure 30 platforms with free transfer : $112
- Blue Tree Water Park Ticket with Transfer : $57
- Departure Private Airport Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport: $37
- Departure Private Transfers from Phuket City to Phuket Airport HKT: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $22Tanah Rata $44
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
-
Thai Noodles$2.45
-
Bananas$0.68
-
Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Thai Cooking Class 2 Hrs ( 4 Dishes Menu): $47
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Twilight Stylish Sky Set Dinner - The SIS Kata Resort : $54
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
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.Phuket $42Tanah Rata $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour$25
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
-
Thai Oil Massage$17
-
Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.02
- The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $4.16
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $11
- Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
- Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $15
- Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $16
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
- Original Discovery Tour: $17
- Simon Cabaret Phuket Show Admission Ticket: $20
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 dayPhuket $6.35Tanah Rata $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
-
Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $78
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket 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 Phuket.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Tanah Rata?
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket 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 Phuket or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
Both Tanah Rata and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
Both Tanah Rata and Phuket during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Tanah Rata. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Tanah Rata. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets less rain in April than Tanah Rata. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Phuket is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Phuket
| Phuket | 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.