A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bodrum vs. Chennai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bodrum or Chennai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bodrum and Chennai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bodrum or Chennai?

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

Chennai

Formerly known as Madras from its colonial history, Chennai today is one of India's largest cities and capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India with an extensive stretch of sandy beaches, plenty of dining and shopping, a number of historic temples, monuments, and churches, plus amusement parks and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Bodrum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $72, while the average daily cost in Chennai is $30. 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 Bodrum and Chennai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bodrum $31
    Chennai $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bodrum $62
    Chennai $28
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Chennai

Looking for a hotel in Bodrum or Chennai? 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.

Hotels in Bodrum


Hotels in Chennai


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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and Chennai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bodrum $16
    Chennai $2.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

Also for Bodrum, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Full-Day Ancient Ephesus Tour with Guide & Transfer: $268
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kusadasi Hotels: $211
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Mugla City Center Hotels: $183
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Didim (Altinkum) Hotels: $143
  • Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Kusadasi: $137
  • Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Soke (Söke): $131
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kadikalesi Hotels: $120
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bodrum Airport to Marmaris Hotels: $114
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Akyarlar Hotels: $114
  • Bodrum Scuba Diving Experince with Lunch and Roundtrip Transfer: $111
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Yaliciftlik Hotels: $108
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Yalikavak Hotels: $108

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 12-Day Guided Tour to Kochi with Transfers: $1,094
  • Private Transfer from Chennai to Vellore: Comfortable Travel: $156
  • Private Transfer from Chennai to Pondicherry: Comfortable Travel: $130
  • Private Transfer from Chennai to Thiruvannamalai: Ultimate Guide: $130
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $108
  • Chennai Airport: Layover City Guided Tour with Transfers: $48
  • From Chennai Mylapore walking trail with Guide & Transfers: $45
  • Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $44
  • Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $39
  • Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $35
  • Private Chennai Airport Transfer Arrival to Hotel: $30
  • Private Transfer from Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Chennai?

Prices for flights to both Chennai and Bodrum 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bodrum $27
    Chennai $9.75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bodrum Food, Culture & Cooking Experience transfer lunch included: $56
  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Home: $69
  • Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $108
  • Etrim Village Turkish Cooking and Farm Experience: $120
  • Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $137
  • Market Visit and Cooking Class: $150
  • Bodrum Cooking Class: $183
  • Sunset Boat Trip including Dinner: $228
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $230
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $230
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $232
  • Private VIP Gulet Boat Sunset Tour With Dinner For 3 Hour: $285

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai

For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ayurvedic or South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with an Author: $40
  • Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with Vidhya: $48
  • PRIVATE Chennai Cooking Class in a Local Home with Meena: $54
  • Private Market Visit & Cooking Class in Sundari's Chennai Home: $54
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class near Chennai Airport: $62
  • Traditional Indian Art, Craft and Cooking Tour: $71
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Demo in Chennai in Tara's Home: $76
  • Private tour to learn Traditional Indian Art, craft & Cooking: $80
  • Neighborhood Market Tour & South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai: $152
  • Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bodrum $20
    Chennai $2.44

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.

  • Ölüdeniz: Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley & Lunch Boat Tour: $75
  • ALL INCLUSIVE - Private Bodrum City Tour for Cruise Passangers: $75
  • Authentic Bodrum Village Tour with Lunch & Rug Weaving Experience: $56
  • Authentic Ottoman Style Hammam Experience: $29
  • Best of Bodrum Private Tour: $241
  • Boattrip to Bodrum Maledives for Virgin Cruise Passengers: $40
  • Bodrum Aquapark Entry Ticket: $57
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Tour with Lunch & Swimming Stops: $31
  • Bodrum Boat Tour with Lunch: Beaches and Islands: $27
  • Bodrum Carpet Village Experience with women Weaving Cooperative: $56
  • Bodrum City Private Tour For Cruise Passengers with TICKET: $199
  • Bodrum City Tour: $120

Tours and Activities in Chennai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.

  • 2 Day Royal Enfield Motorcycle tour from Chennai to Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram: $267
  • 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra from Chennai with Both Side Commercial Flights: $254
  • 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra from Chennai with Both side Commercial Flights: $276
  • 2-Days Private Udaipur City Tour with Boat Ride: $116
  • 6-Day Classical Tamil Nadu Private Tour from Chennai: $250
  • 7-Day Spiritual Tamil Nadu Private Tour from Chennai: $526
  • Agra Taj Tour from Chennai: $292
  • All Inclusive Chennai Full & Half-Day Tour with Hotel Pickup: $48
  • Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $134
  • Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
  • Best of Chennai and Mahabalipuram Full Day Private Guided Tour: $99
  • Best of Guided Half Day City Tour with a local: $43

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bodrum $8.91
    Chennai $2.71


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Chennai, we can see that Bodrum is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bodrum is in Europe and Chennai is in Asia, 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 Chennai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chennai 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 Bodrum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodrum than you might in Chennai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bodrum Expensive? and Is Chennai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bodrum or Chennai?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum and Chennai, 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.