Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Kyoto $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Kyoto $7.55
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $553
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $44Kyoto $24
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 Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $66
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Kyoto $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
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.56
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour: $9.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Kyoto, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.
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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Kyoto, 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 Kyoto?
Kyoto 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 Kyoto in the Summer?
Both Kyoto 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, most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally around the same temperature as Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kyoto in the Autumn?
Both Kyoto 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 autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Kyoto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Kyoto 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 Kyoto. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kyoto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Kyoto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Kyoto averages at about 5°C (40°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Kyoto. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Kyoto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Kyoto. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in April than Kyoto. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.