Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Cairns? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tanah Rata or Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Tanah Rata and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Cairns? 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: Tanah Rata Hotel Prices and Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- 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 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
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to City: $58
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to Northern Beaches: $59
- Airport Transfer - Northern Beaches to Cairns Airport: $73
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $20
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (CNS Airport to Cairns Hotels or Address): $147
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $123
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $100
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $134
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns Cruise Port: $159
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Tanah Rata 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 dayTanah Rata $44Cairns $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Cairns $37
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 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 Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Delight Tour: $61
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $9.91
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $26
- Entry Ticket at Historic Village Herberton: $28
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures General Entry Ticket: $30
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Sightseeing River Boat Safari with Soft Drinks: $36
- Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks: $42
- Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: $43
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
- Full Day Tour by Myroo X Deluxe Coach to Mission Beach: $46
- Aquarium Entry Ticket and Turtle Rehabilitation Tour: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Cairns, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cairns would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairns 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 Cairns.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tanah Rata Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Cairns?
Cairns has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Cairns, 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 Tanah Rata or Cairns?
Cairns has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tanah Rata experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Cairns. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Tanah Rata during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches during these months.
Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.