Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tanah Rata or Qingdao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Qingdao? 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 Qingdao?
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.
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Qingdao $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Qingdao $26
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Qingdao
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Qingdao? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Qingdao $12
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Qingdao?
Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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
-
Food Meals for one dayTanah Rata $44Qingdao $20
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
-
Dinner for Two$5.66
-
Dessert$0.63
-
Lunch$3.98
-
Afternoon tea$3.88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Qingdao $20
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:
-
Tea Factory Visit$5.66
-
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 Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Qingdao $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Qingdao, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Qingdao.
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 Qingdao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Qingdao?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Qingdao, 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 Qingdao?
Qingdao 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 Qingdao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Qingdao. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Qingdao in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Qingdao. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Qingdao. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Qingdao 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Qingdao in the Autumn?
Both Qingdao 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.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Qingdao averages at about 17°C (62°F).
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Qingdao 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Qingdao in the Winter?
Both Qingdao 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.
The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Qingdao. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Qingdao -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Qingdao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Qingdao in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Qingdao 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Qingdao and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Qingdao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.