Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wellington? 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $137Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $103. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Wellington $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 Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $44Wellington $29
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
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $34Wellington $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:
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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
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.53
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $8.91
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33
- Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $19Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $95
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $356
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Wellington, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Wellington 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.
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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Wellington?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Wellington. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wellington in the Autumn?
Both Wellington 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, many travelers come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wellington in the Winter?
Both Wellington 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, many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.
Wellington 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 January than Wellingtonin July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Wellington in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches during these months.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.