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

Should you visit Bodrum or Kerala?

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 Kerala 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 Kerala?

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.

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Bodrum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $92, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $0.00. 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 Kerala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bodrum $48
    Kerala -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bodrum $96
    Kerala $0.00
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Kerala

Looking for a hotel in Bodrum or Kerala? 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 Kerala


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bodrum $24
    Kerala -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

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

  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Akyarlar Hotels: $109
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Bitez Hotels: $79
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Didim (Altinkum) Hotels: $137
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Gumusluk Hotels: $109
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Guvercinlik Hotels: $77
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kadikalesi Hotels: $115
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Marmaris Hotels: $197
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Mugla City Center Hotels: $176
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Ortakent Hotels: $99
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Turgutreis Hotels: $101
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Yalikavak Hotels: $104
  • Bodrum Airport Private Transfer Luxury Minivan or Minibus: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:

  • Trivandrum to Alleppey Private Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer:Fort Kochi to Munnar: $100
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Kochi Hotels: $50
  • Trivandrum Airport Transfer to Trivandrum Hotels: $47
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Cochin Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $45
  • Private Transfer from Kochi (COK) Airport to Kochi City: $41
  • Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40
  • Fort Kochi Hotels to Cochin Airport Private Transfer: $40
  • Cochin - private departure transfer from hotel to airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $35
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum City to Trivandrum (TRV) Airport: $35
  • Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Kerala?

Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 $24
    Kerala -

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

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

  • Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $44
  • Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $104
  • Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $126
  • Bodrum Market Visit and Cooking Class: $129
  • Bodrum Vineyard Tour with Dinner and Wine Pairing: $129
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $131
  • Bodrum Cooking Class: $175
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $186
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $222
  • Shore Excursions - Istanbul by Night: Turkish Food Tour: $252
  • Private Vineyard Tour with Dinner Under the Stars in Karnas: $292
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $322

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.

  • Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
  • Private candle light dinner: $22
  • 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26
  • Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $33
  • Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
  • Tyndis Fort Cochin Traditional Culinary Experience - Homely Food Tour in Kochi: $47
  • Kathakali Dance Show in Kochi with Dinner and Hotel Pick Up: $61
  • Traditional Kerala Cooking Class in a Local Home in Kochi: $66
  • Kochi Over View & Kathakali & Dinner.Tour: $75
  • Cooking experience in Kochi, a half day tour: $128
  • Kathakali Classical Dance Performance with Dinner: $141
  • Philipkutty's Farm Culinary Tour including Lunch and Cooking Demo: $284

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bodrum $31
    Kerala -

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

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

  • Muğla: Quick Tour, Essentials of Muğla: $6.00
  • Daily Boat Tour (Orak Island) around Bodrum and Black Island Coves : $19
  • Beaches and Islands Boat Tour with Lunch: $20
  • Orak Island Boat Tour with Swim Stops and Lunch: $24
  • Orakadasi Boat Tour From Bodrum (Maldives of Turkey) With Lunch: $25
  • Bodrum Black island Tour: $26
  • Orak island Boat Tour: $27
  • Turkish Bath Experience: $31
  • Black Island Boat Tour with Lunch: $32
  • Boat Tour for Mein Schiff Cruise Passengers: $32
  • Carpet Weaving Art Lessons & Experience: $33
  • Traditional Turkish Hammam Experience: $38

Tours and Activities in Kerala

Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Exclusive Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour Including Pickup from Cruise Ships: $14
  • Full Day Cochin Tour (From City Hotel Only): $59
  • Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $15
  • Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking): $61
  • "Day Trip to Varkala from Trivandrum (Guided Full Day City Tour)": $147
  • 12 Hours Private Munnar Tour from Kochi: $135
  • 2-Hours Street Food Guided Tour of Thiruvananthapuram: $25
  • 3 Nights 4 Days Munnar Alleppey Private Tour with Exclusive Houseboat Stay: $256
  • 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
  • 4 Days Best of Kerala Tour with Private Houseboat, Sightseeing & Car: $211
  • 4 Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi From Cruise terminal: $12
  • 4 Hours Private Village Life Experience in Kochi with Pickup: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bodrum $14
    Kerala -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Kerala, we can see that Bodrum is more expensive. And not only is Kerala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bodrum is in Europe and Kerala 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 Kerala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kerala 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 Kerala.

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


Which has a larger population, Bodrum or Kerala?

Kerala has a larger population, and is about 810 times larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum and Kerala, 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.