Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tanah Rata or Fraser Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Fraser Island? 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 Fraser Island?
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.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
-
Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesFraser Island Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Fraser Island $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Fraser Island $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Fraser Island? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Fraser Island $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highlands to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- 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: $125
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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
-
Food Meals for one dayTanah Rata $87Fraser Island $83
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$6.42
-
Dessert$0.71
-
Lunch$4.52
-
Afternoon tea$4.40
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Fraser Island $45
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$6.42
-
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: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $35
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands: Agro 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
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $173
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $173
- K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $174
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $186
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
- Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
- Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $369
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Fraser Island $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island is more expensive. And not only is Tanah Rata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Fraser Island 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 Tanah Rata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tanah Rata 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island than you might in Tanah Rata.
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 Fraser Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tanah Rata or Fraser Island?
Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Fraser Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally around the same temperature as Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Fraser Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Fraser Island. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in October than Fraser Islandin April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Fraser Island in the Winter?
Both Fraser Island and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the cuisine.
In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Fraser Island in the Spring?
Both Fraser Island and Tanah Rata during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in April than Fraser Islandin October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.