Travel Budget for Kerala Visit Kerala on a Budget or Travel in Style

Kerala, India

How much does it cost to travel to Kerala?

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Kerala cost?

A one week trip to Kerala usually costs around $0.00 (₨0.00) for one person and $0.00 (₨0.00) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Kerala on average costs around $0.00 (₨0.00) for one person and $0.00 (₨0.00) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Kerala will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Kerala on average costs around $0.00 (₨0.00) for one person and $0.00 (₨0.00) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Kerala 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 Kerala expensive to visit?

Kerala is a very affordable place to visit. Located in India, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Kerala in depth.

Within Asia, Kerala is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Kerala.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Kerala Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Kerala?

The average Kerala trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Kerala travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Kerala On a Budget
Kerala Houseboats on the Backwaters of Kerala
Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.

This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.

Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.

The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.
Sights
As the home to some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, you'll find plenty of natural wonders to see in Kerala. From backwaters to mountains, forest parks to beaches, there really is something for everyone.

But be sure to add plenty of religious attractions to your list. This area has gorgeous temples, churches, mosques and more to gaze at - all in one state.

There are also dozens of museums and historical places worth a visit. The Hill Palaces, for example, hold more than 200 artifacts including the Crown Jewels.

Then, of course, if you're more interested in a relaxing wander through the local culture, there's Munnar. This sleepy little town is right in the middle of the tea plantations. Wander the streets and then visit an actual tea factory in operation.

As you can see, Kerala makes for a great introduction to India.
Regions
The state of Kerala is split into five different regions. Malabar is known for its spices, textiles and food. Central Kerala is the home to the largest urban area, known as Kochi. It's the cultural heart of Kerala. Central Travancore is the land of backwaters, churches and high literacy, while Northern Travancore is covered in mountains, hill stations and plantations know for growing spices, tea and coffee. Lastly, the capital city and many sporting events can be found in Southern Travancore.

Activities
There are adventures designed for every visiting traveler. You can canoe the backwaters of Kollom, climb the rocks of the Munnar Mountains or go snorkeling in the beaches of Alappuzha, Kovalam and Varkala.

Kerala is perhaps most famous for houseboat trips through the "backwaters" (the rivers and lakes of the region). On such a trip, visitors can relax and unwind, take in the natural beauty, eat amazing local food, and learn about the history of the region. Houseboats come in all shapes, sizes, and budget ranges to fit any type of traveler. If the idea of staying on a boat does not interest you, various hotels and resorts can be found along the waterways.

For a truly unique experience, though, take a safari. Not just any safari, however. Take a safari on the back of an eight-foot elephant. This activity is completely available in areas like the eco-tourist village of Thenmala.

The most relaxing experience you can have on your to-do list is to try out the famous Ayurvedic hospitals. This world famous healing art is 5,000 years old. In recent years, many Ayurveda spas have sprung up due to tourist popularity – offering light massages and pleasure treatments. It is still recommended that you go to the hospitals for the real deal.
Food and Dining
Don't expect traditional Indian cuisine in Kerala. The food here is starkly different than from the rest of the country. One of he staples of their diet is rice and non-vegetarian dishes are very popular. Because you're I such a tropical area, you will not want to miss out on the delicious array of seafood available.

While the food is different it still very spicy. It's not meant for beginners. The cuisines is divided by regional styles: Malabar, Central Travancore, Southern Travancore and Central Kerala.

One of the most traditional dishes you won't want to miss is the buffet style Sadhya. This meal typically consists of 24 different items served up on a plantain leaf.

One word of warning: you may want to avoid drinking the tap water. Mineral/bottled water is available everywhere.

Transportation
All modes of transportation are available within Kerala. Trains are your best bet for traveling across the state, while taxi is a great option for traveling within regions.

Renting and driving your own car is really not advised. Not only is the rental process for Westerners nearly impossible, but also the roads are narrow, filled with bustling traffic and very little attention is paid to the rules of the road.
Related
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. 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 cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.