Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne?
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.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Melbourne $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $176. 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 Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Melbourne $118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Melbourne $236
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Melbourne $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$10
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Tram Ride$2.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luxury Airport Transfers & Best Limo Service in Melbourne: $87
- Melbourne Airport Arrival Or Departure Luxury Car Transfers : $109
- Airport Transfers: $141
- Arrival Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to Melbourne in Sedan: $115
- Arrival Transfer from Melbourne Airport MEL to Melbourne in Van: $163
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $165
- Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $177
- Departure Transfer Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Sedan: $115
- Departure Transfer from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Van: $163
- From Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Melbourne: $79
- From Lake Mountain Ski Resort Tour with Transfers: $947
- MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Melbourne CBD: $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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 $44Melbourne $30
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
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.60
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Pizza$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $78
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $97
- Secret Food Tours Melbourne: $106
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $129
- Indian Cooking Master Class: $130
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Melbourne $27
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 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 Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Delight Tour: $61
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Melbourne:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
- Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- MoPA Children's Museum Admission Ticket: $9.15
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.80
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Melbourne $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $25
- MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour from Melbourne: $105
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $127
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Luxury Lunch, Wine Tasting & Pt Leo Art Walk: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?
Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Melbourne. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Melbournein January. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in July than Melbournein January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Melbournein April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Melbourne in the Winter?
Both Melbourne and Tanah Rata during the winter 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 Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Melbourne averages at about 9°C (49°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Melbournein July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Melbournein October. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.