Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
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 $137Surfers Paradise $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Surfers Paradise $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Surfers Paradise $11
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 Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $119
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $291
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
- Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $89
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $44Surfers Paradise $26
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 Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Surfers Paradise $23
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$78
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $22
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $32
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $33
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $37
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $46
- Paradise SUP Tour: $47
- Half-Day Whale Watching and Canal Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $52
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Surfers Paradise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.
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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Surfers Paradise. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise 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, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise 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, the winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.