A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tanah Rata vs. Sapporo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tanah Rata or Sapporo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sapporo? 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 Sapporo?

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.

Sapporo

Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Tanah Rata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $106. 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 Sapporo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tanah Rata $67
    Sapporo $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tanah Rata $134
    Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Sapporo

Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Sapporo? 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.

Hotels in Tanah Rata


Hotels in Sapporo


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 Sapporo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tanah Rata $29
    Sapporo $15

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
  • Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
  • Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
  • Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
  • CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
  • Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
  • Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
  • 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 One-way Transfer: $92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo

Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • New Chitose Airport ↔ Sapporo, Best Transfer Pick up Service : $66
  • Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
  • Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $154
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $143
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $158
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $93
  • Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $467
  • Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $119
  • Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $37
  • SkyExpress Private Transfer: Sapporo to Otaru (8 Passengers): $289
  • [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $135

Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Sapporo?

Prices for flights to both Sapporo 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 day
    Tanah Rata $44
    Sapporo $30
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo

For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Market Tour, Cooking Class and Lunch with a Local in Sapporo: $82
  • Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $82
  • Japanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Local Professional in her Lovely Home: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tanah Rata $34
    Sapporo $16
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 Sapporo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.

  • JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.04
  • Hand-rolled sushi experience tour at Sapporo Nijo Market: $44
  • Sapporo Morning Walking Tour: $46
  • Nopporo Forest Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo, presenting a retro Cycle cap: $50
  • Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $53
  • Experience traditional Japanese cuisine, making soba noodles in Sapporo, in a fun and casual way.: $53
  • Japanese buckwheat noodle making experience in Sapporo,japan: $57
  • Popular No.1! Soba Making Experience and Tempura Plan: $60
  • Mondo's most popular plan! Experience making soba noodles and the king of Japanese cuisine, tempura, in Sapporo!: $62
  • Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo Including Hoheikyo Onsen and Lunch: $68
  • Personalized Experience with a Local: $69
  • in Sapporo! Hand-made soba experience and shabu-shabu experience plan of Yezo deer meat (Gibier meat) from Hokkaido: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tanah Rata $19
    Sapporo $7.98


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Sapporo, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Sapporo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapporo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapporo 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 Sapporo.

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 Sapporo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Sapporo, 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 Sapporo?

Sapporo 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 Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Tanah Rata during the summer 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, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Sapporo in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F) 
    Sapporo 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F) 
    Sapporo 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Sapporo. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sapporo in the winter. In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Sapporo. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F) 
    Sapporo -5°C (24°F)

Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the activities around the city.

Tanah Rata is much warmer than Sapporo in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F) 
    Sapporo 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Tanah Rata

Tanah Rata Sapporo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) -4°C (24°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) -0°C (32°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 126 mm (5 in) 22°C (72°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 270 mm (10.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) -1°C (30°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)