Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Pokhara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pokhara 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 Pokhara and Tanah Rata can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Tanah Rata?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, 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 dayPokhara $19Tanah Rata $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $19, 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 Pokhara and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.92Tanah Rata $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $7.84Tanah Rata $134
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $7.65Tanah Rata $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Comfortable One-Way Car Transfer from Pokhara to Lumbini: $78
- Direct Transfers Your Private Ride Between Pokhara & Chitwan: $156
- From Kathmandu: Luxury Sofa Seater Bus Transfer to Pokhara: $23
- From Bungee Jumping with Hotel Transfers: $94
- From Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $249
- Kathmandu to 1-Way Car Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu: Private Transfer From or To Pokhara: $117
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport To Lakeside Transfer Service: $27
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $170
- Ayurvedic Spa Retreat with Transfers: $48
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $78
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 Pokhara or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $8.11Tanah Rata $44
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$4.51
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Dessert (for 2)$3.01
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Pastries$1.50
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Dinner$6.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $39
- Nepalese Kitchen in Pokhara Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $40
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $41
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- From Pokhara:3 Hour authentic fish curry cooking class: $51
- Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
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.Pokhara $7.28Tanah Rata $34
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tourist Bus Ticket (From Kathmandu Sofa Bus ): $0.12
- Full Day Pokhara City Sightseeing by Sharing Bus Group Tour: $6.71
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $8.12
- Sightseeing tour (Unguided) in Sharing Bus: $9.26
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $10
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Tour : 3-Hour From Pokhara: $10
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $11
- Pokhara/Baidam: Himalayas Sunrise Views from Sarangkot Tour: $12
- Sarangkot Sunrise Spectacle: Unforgettable Tour from Pokhara: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- City Tour in Sharing Bus : $12
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket : $13
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 dayPokhara $6.57Tanah Rata $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Tanah Rata?
Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.
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.