Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Newcastle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Newcastle $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $91. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Newcastle $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Newcastle $88
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Newcastle $8.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Bimbadgen Lunch Tour with Helicopter Transfers: $751
- Tandem Beach Skydive with Optional Transfers: $248
- Private Transfer - Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $88
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $88
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $44Newcastle $35
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 $34Newcastle $15
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 Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $9.91
- Skip the Line: Handmade Cheese, Fruit Paste & Gourmet Bread & Wafers Lunch: $17
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
- Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $27
- Family Pass: Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $30
- Architecture, Street Art & Hidden Secrets Walking Tour of Newcastle: $33
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $37
- Newscastle: Australian Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $42
- Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46
- Newcastle Whale Watching Cruise: $49
- Port Stephens: Whale Watching Cruise: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Newcastle $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Broke: $5.32
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $6.60
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass: $9.91
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $20
- 30-Minute Distillery Guided Tour in Carrington : $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $26
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $33
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
- Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $72
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from the Hunter with Wine Craft Beer Cheese Chocolate: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Newcastle, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Newcastle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Newcastle 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 Newcastle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newcastle 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 Newcastle.
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 Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Newcastle?
Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Newcastle in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.
Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Newcastlein January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Newcastle in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Newcastle. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 19°C (67°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in October than Newcastlein April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Newcastle in the Winter?
Both Newcastle and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Newcastlein July. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Newcastlein July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Newcastle in the Spring?
Both Newcastle and Tanah Rata during the spring 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, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Newcastle in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in April than Newcastlein October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.