Which place is cheaper, Koyasan or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Koyasan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan?
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.
Koyasan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Koyasan $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $78. 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 Koyasan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Koyasan $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Koyasan $78
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Koyasan
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Koyasan $33
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 Tanah Rata or Koyasan?
Prices for flights to both Koyasan 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 $44Koyasan $19
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.Tanah Rata $34Koyasan $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 dayTanah Rata $19Koyasan $4.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Koyasan, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Koyasan.
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 Koyasan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tanah Rata or Koyasan?
Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?
Both Koyasan 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Koyasan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koyasan in the Autumn?
Both Koyasan 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. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Koyasan 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 more rain in October than Koyasan. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Koyasan 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koyasan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.
In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Koyasan 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Koyasan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Koyasan. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in April than Koyasan. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Koyasan 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Koyasan and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Koyasan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.