Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa 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.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Kanazawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kanazawa? 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 Kanazawa?
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.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesKanazawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Kanazawa $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Kanazawa $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Kanazawa? 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 Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Kanazawa $9.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $154
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa 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 $87Kanazawa $58
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$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
- traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
- Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $423
- Geisha Performance with Dinner and Drinks: $1,217
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Kanazawa $10
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$6.42
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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 Sightseing Tour: $35
- 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 Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
- Ring making experience　 Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
- Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
- Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
- Kanazawa Private/Group Walking Tour: Local & Major Highlight: $50
- Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
- Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Kanazawa $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
- Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Kanazawa, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Kanazawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanazawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa.
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 Kanazawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Kanazawa?
Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa?
Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa in the Summer?
Both Kanazawa and Tanah Rata during the summer 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 travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tanah Rata in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kanazawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kanazawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Kanazawa. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Tanah Rata is much warmer than Kanazawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kanazawa in the Spring?
Both Kanazawa and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
In the spring, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tanah Rata in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Kanazawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 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.