Which place is cheaper, Kunming or Bangalore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangalore or Kunming?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bangalore and Kunming can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bangalore or Kunming?
Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangalore $44Kunming $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangalore is $44, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $67. 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 Bangalore and Kunming in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangalore $20Kunming $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangalore $40Kunming $66
Compare Hotels in Bangalore and Kunming
Looking for a hotel in Bangalore or Kunming? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangalore $9.70Kunming $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore
Also for Bangalore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Mysore guided day tour with transfers: $167
- Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru City -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $79
- One-Way Private City Transfer Mysore & Bangalore: $50
- Private Departure Transfer: Bangalore Hotels to Bengaluru International Airport: $45
- Affordable Bangalore Airport Transfer: $28
- Bangalore airport to Hotel Transfer: $18
- Affordable Bangalore Airport Transfer: $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
- Private Transfer from Kunming hotel to Guizhou Xingyi hotel: $240
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- Kunming Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $22
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pick up: $71
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangalore or Kunming?
Prices for flights to both Kunming and Bangalore 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 dayBangalore $13Kunming $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Family: $32
- Private Cooking Demonstration in a Bangalore Home: $45
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $51
- Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with an Award Winning Chef: $54
- Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience: $60
- Private In-Home Cooking Demonstration and Meal in Bangalore: $68
- Private Cooking Dining Experience in Bengaluru: $74
- Private Indian Cooking Class and Meal in Bangalore Home: $74
- 3-Hour Private Cooking Lesson and Meal in a Bangalore Home: $74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kunming evening food tour with locals: $65
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $78
- Half Day Private Tour of Kunming Flower Market and Flower Pastry Cooking Class: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangalore $11Kunming $18
Tours and Activities in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Full-Day Bangalore City Tour: $84
- Sacred Bull walking tour in Bangalore with guide: $50
- (Mysuru) Mysore Day Out - A Royal Experience Private Tour from Bangalore: $130
- 2 day Motorcycle tour from Bangalore to Belur, Halebid & Shravanabelagola: $288
- 4-Hour Private Photowalk Tour in Bengaluru: $79
- All Inclusive Sameday Taj Mahal & Agra Tour from Your hotel: $76
- Bandipur wildlife and Mysore experience in 2 days from Bangalore: $300
- Bangalore City Tour (Pick up from hotel): $100
- Bangalore City Tour By Tuk Tuk!: $110
- Bangalore Explorer: 3-Day Tour of the Garden City: $241
- Bangalore Full Day Private City Tour: $53
- Bangalore Heritage Walk - Private Walking tour: $67
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- 1-Day Self-Guided Stone Forest Geological Park Tour from Kunming: $106
- 1-Day Stone Forest Geological Park Private Tour with the Lunch from Kunming: $201
- Kunming Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave with Boat Ride : $209
- 1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour: $196
- 1- Day Kunming Short Hiking Tour: $122
- 1-Day Civil Culture Tour in Kunming: $112
- 1-Day Dinosaur Tour in Kunming: $144
- 1-Day Dongchuan Red Land Photography Private Tour from Kunming: $269
- 1-Day Kunming Culture Tour: $156
- 1-Day Kunming Scenery Tour: $122
- 1-Day Kunming Temple and Market Tour: $122
- 1-Day Kunming tour with the Green Lake,Bird & Flower market and Yuantong Temple: $201
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangalore $9.07Kunming $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:
- Pub Crawl Bangalore (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $34
- Pub Crawl in Bengaluru - A lovely private evening experience with a local: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangalore and Kunming, we can see that Kunming is more expensive. And not only is Bangalore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangalore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangalore 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 Kunming would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kunming than you might in Bangalore.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangalore Expensive? and Is Kunming Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangalore or Kunming?
Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kunming. When comparing the sizes of Bangalore and Kunming, 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.