Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Koh Pha Ngan $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Koh Pha Ngan $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Koh Pha Ngan $15
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 Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- 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 Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- 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: $125
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.42
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Ferry Ride$16
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Gas for Scooter$3.45
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $87Koh Pha Ngan $20
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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.26
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.26
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Ice Cream$0.63
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Juice$1.88
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3 Spring Rolls$0.94
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2 Pancakes$1.88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Koh Pha Ngan $19
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: 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$8.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
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 Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan?
Koh Pha Ngan has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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 Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tanah Rata in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Tanah Rata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Koh Pha Ngan. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tanah Rata in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 23°C (73°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.