How much does it cost to travel to Tanah Rata?
You should plan to spend around $140 (RM653) per day on your vacation in Tanah Rata. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $45 (RM211) on meals
- $30 (RM139) on local transportation
- $136 (RM638) on hotels
A one week trip to Tanah Rata for two people costs, on average, $1,958 (RM9,147). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Tanah Rata has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Tanah Rata expensive to visit?
Prices in Tanah Rata are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Asia, Tanah Rata is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Tanah Rata is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Tanah Rata Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Tanah Rata?
The average Tanah Rata trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Tanah Rata travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
RM638
($136)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
RM139
($30)
|
|
Food 2
|
RM211
($45)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
RM163
($35)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
RM0 -
0
($0 - 0)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
RM45 -
135
($10 - 29)
|
Accommodation Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Tanah Rata is $68 (RM319). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Tanah Rata is $136 (RM638). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Tanah Rata is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $30 (RM139) per person, per day, on local transportation in Tanah Rata.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$30
RM139
How much does it cost to go to Tanah Rata? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Tanah Rata will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Tanah Rata can vary, the average cost of food in Tanah Rata is $45 (RM211) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Tanah Rata should cost around $18 (RM85) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Tanah Rata is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$45
RM211
Typical prices for Food in Tanah Rata are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Tanah Rata, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Dinner for Two
RM27
-
Dessert
RM3.00
-
Lunch
RM19
-
Afternoon tea
RM19
Entertainment Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Tanah Rata typically cost an average of $35 (RM163) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$35
RM163
Typical prices for Entertainment in Tanah Rata are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Tanah Rata, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $19 (RM90) on alcoholic beverages in Tanah Rata per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$19
RM90
Water Budget in Tanah Rata
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $2.30 (RM11) on bottled water in Tanah Rata per day. The public water in Tanah Rata is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$2.30
RM11
Tanah Rata On a Budget
BOH Tea Plantation, central Malaysia
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.
Tanah Rata's climate is influenced by it's high elevation of 1,440 meters. The area's climate is much cooler than elsewhere in Malaysia with average highs staying in the low 70s Fahrenheit for most of the year. Average low temperatures are in the high 50s Fahrenheit. Rain is most common during the months of April and May as well as October and November.
Sights
The sights in the area are very spread out, making it difficult to travel from one place to another without a car or an organized tour. Most of the area's attractions are outside of town in the surrounding areas. Some of the more popular destinations include Mossy Forest, Parit Waterfall, Robinson Rose Garden, Gunung (Mount) Brinchang, Robinson Waterfall, Bharat Tea Plantation and the Butterfly Garden. The tour companies also offer tours into the nearby rainforest, and trips to see the local villages.
Neighborhoods
Tanah Rata is a small town with a variety of travel amenities. Most of the restaurants are found on the main road in the center of town. This is also the location of most of the area's tour companies. The town is flat and easy to walk around, making it a good place to base yourself during your time in the Cameron Highlands.
There are some large hostels around town, with the most popular being Fathers Guesthouse. Beds are cheap and the amenities are very comfortable. They have a great community space so it is a good area to meet and chat with fellow travelers who can always offer you some good advice on your future destinations.
Activities
Most people spend their time in Tanah Rata on an organized tour of the Cameron Highlands. Most of the tours and their prices are comparable across companies. Admission fees to exhibits and museums are often not included in the price of the tour, but inquire in advance.
Trekking is also one of the most popular activities in the area. There are many trails around, so pick up a map at a tourist information center. The maps each have their own inaccuracies, but the trails are usually well marked.
Between Tanah Rata and Brinchang is the Cameron Highlands Golf Course. This is a beautiful 18 hole course, but the maintenance level of the course can vary.
Food and Dining
There are many restaurants in Tanah Rata that cater specifically to tourists. You'll find the typical options, including Indian, Chinese, and Malay restaurants, but there are also a handful of international restaurants. Interestingly, there's at least one decent German restaurant in town, so if you've had your fill of Asian food, this is an unique option as well. Vegetarian dishes are available at most of the restaurants around town.
There is one bar and one pub in Tanah Rata as well. Jungle Bar has a jungle theme and a nightly bon fire. It's a great place to watch football matches on television, and there's also a pool table, dart board, and music. Travelers Bistro & Pub is the only pub in town. It offers a social setting that is a great place to meet other travelers.
Transportation
Tanah Rata is the main tourist town in the Cameron Highlands. This is in part because it serves as the area's main transportion hub. In town there is a taxi station and a bus station where can catch buses to other parts of the region as well as Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur.
Even though Tanah Rata is the transportation hub of the area, public transportation remains somewhat limited. It is easiest to explore the area if you have access to your own car. Many budget travelers choose to organize a tour in the area, as this will provide you with the necessary transportation. It also contributes to what many feel is the "mass tourism" of the area. There are many tour operators that can organize day tours for you that include most of the area's highlights.
If you have your own car, or a lot of patience, you can explore the area on your own. There are buses, but they are often infrequent and slow, so plan your day accordingly.
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We've been gathering travel cost data from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of destinations around the world.
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.