Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Suzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Suzhou? 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 Suzhou?
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Suzhou $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $101. 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 Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Suzhou $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Suzhou? 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 $29Suzhou $57
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 Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
- Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $143
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
- Private Day Tour: Suzhou Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
- Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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 $44Suzhou $32
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 Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Suzhou $9.32
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 Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $70
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Suzhou Private Walking Tour with Panmen Gate, City Moat and Yiyuan Garden: $101
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- Private Suzhou City Amazing Day Tour in Your Way : $127
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
- Nanjing Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car with Drop-off Option : $137
- Private Tour of Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden and Pingjiang Road: $144
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Suzhou $6.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Suzhou, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Suzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Suzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Suzhou 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 Suzhou.
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 Suzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Suzhou?
Suzhou has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Suzhou, 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 Suzhou?
Suzhou 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 Suzhou in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Suzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
In the summer, Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Suzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tanah Rata in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Suzhou averages at about 28°C (83°F).
Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Tanah Rata usually receives less rain than Suzhou. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Suzhou 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Suzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Suzhou. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in October than Suzhou. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Suzhou 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Suzhou in the Winter?
Both Suzhou 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.
It's quite cold in Suzhou in the winter. Tanah Rata is much warmer than Suzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In January, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Suzhou 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Suzhou in the Spring?
Both Suzhou 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.
In the spring, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Suzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tanah Rata in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Suzhou averages at about 15°C (58°F).
Suzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in April than Suzhou. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Suzhou 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Suzhou and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Suzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.