Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ubud or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Tanah Rata. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ubud or Tanah Rata?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Ubud Prices
Indonesia PricesTanah Rata Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $153Tanah Rata $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $153, while the average daily cost in Tanah Rata is $192. 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 Ubud and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $128Tanah Rata $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $256Tanah Rata $152
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Tanah Rata? 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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.75Tanah Rata $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- ATV Ride Adventure with Private Transfer: $89
- Bali Airport Private Hotel Transfer : $15
- Eco Friendly Premium Electric Vehicle Airport Transfers : $6.78
- ATV Quad Bike Track Tunnel & Waterfall Includes Private Transfer: $79
- ATV Quad Bike and Rafting with Private Transfer, Lunch: $76
- Actively enjoy marine sports / Seawalker + Selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) / Round trip hotel transfer included: $171
- Airport Transfer Bali: $9.60
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Tanjung Benoa Area: $9.00
- Airport Transfer to Nusa Dua: $40
- Airport Transfer to Seminyak: $40
- Airport Transfer to Tulamben/ Amed: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Ubud 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 dayUbud $20Tanah Rata $87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Canggu: Drag Show with Dinner: $13
- Ubud Mystic Dinner at Oracle of Spice Lemuria The Lost City: $17
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Farm Cooking Class and Market Tour: $24
- Ubud Cooking Class by Lemon Grass Cooking Class: $26
- Afternoon Cooking Class & Making Bali Offering with Dinner: $29
- Uluwatu, Kecak Dance and Seafood Dinner Tour Packages: $30
- Amazing Half-Day Uluwatu Sunset Tour with Jimbaran Seafood Dinner: $30
- Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran Seafood Dinner Tour: $30
- Be a real Balinese with Traditional Balinese Cooking Class: $30
- Private Half-Day Tour: Tanah Lot Sunset Tour with Dinner Packages: $30
- Uluwatu Sunset Trip with Kecak Dance Show and Jimbaran Dinner: $30
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$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $9.84Tanah Rata $39
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mangrove Tour at Nusa Lembongan : Kayak, Paddle and Boat: $8.00
- Batur Natural Hot Springs Entrance Ticket - Swim: $8.81
- One Way Ticket Fast Boat from Sanur Bali and Nusa Penida : $8.93
- Bali Tour Customized with Private Tour Driver: $9.00
- ATV Adventure with Private Tracks and Guide in Ubud: $9.18
- Hike and Heal Mount Batur Sunrise Tour with Hot Springs Add On: $9.18
- Self-Guided Tour in Bali's Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Complex: $9.99
- Backlanes and Hidden Sites: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Seminyak: $9.99
- Ubud Waterfall Experience: $10
- Sea to Summit Trekking Adventure on Mount Agung: $10
- 1 Hour Mangrove Tour From Lembongan with Kayak, Paddle, or Boat: $11
- Trans Studio Bali Admission Ticket: $12
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$6.42
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$24
Tours and Activities in Tanah Rata
Here are a few actual costs in Tanah Rata for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $35
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands: Agro 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
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.62Tanah Rata $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Ubud much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ubud would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ubud 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 Ubud.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Tanah Rata?
Ubud has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Tanah Rata, 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.
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.