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

Should you visit Cairo 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 Cairo 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: Cairo or Chennai?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Cairo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, 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 Cairo and Chennai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.27
    Chennai $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Chennai $30
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Chennai

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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 Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Chennai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.96
    Chennai $2.61
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • From Private Day Trip to Luxor w/ Transfer & Flights: $659
  • 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
  • Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh: One-Way or Return Private Transfer: $290
  • Full-Day Private Trip to Fayoum from Cairo, with Transfer: $286
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $280
  • 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
  • From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $275
  • 2-Day-One night Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
  • Private Pickup Transfers From Cairo To Dahab: $260
  • Private 3 Days in Giza Cairo and Alexandria including Free airport transfers: $250
  • Cairo : Marvel the Camping in the White & Black Deserts & Cairo Private Transfer: $250
  • Cairo To El Gouna Private Transfer: $248

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
  • Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
  • Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
  • Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
  • Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
  • Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
  • Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
  • Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Chennai?

Prices for flights to both Chennai and Cairo 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
    Cairo $4.70
    Chennai $6.42
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Cairo Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
  • Giza Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $13
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • 2-Hour Nile River Night Dinner Cruise from Cairo: $16
  • Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $18
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
  • Dinner Cruise Cairo With Belly Dancer Show in The Nile River: $20
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, ATV, shopping Tour and Dinner cruise: $20
  • Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai

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

  • 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $37
  • Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
  • Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
  • South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Menna: $54
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
  • Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $76
  • Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in Chennai: $100
  • Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
  • Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $216

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.69
    Chennai $2.78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.43

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
  • 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $219
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
  • 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
  • 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
  • 3-Day Cairo Top Attractions Exploration Tour: $180
  • 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
  • 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
  • All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $79
  • All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $88

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • Chennai Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Explore Chennai in Nightlights (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Spiritual Trails of Chennai (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Walking Tour Chennai: $14
  • Chennai Night Walk Tour ( 2 hours guided walking tour): $16
  • Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $16
  • Magical Chennai Markets Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • 2 Hour Street Food Walking Tour: $22
  • Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
  • Night Walking Tour of Chennai: $26
  • Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.16
    Chennai $3.08


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Chennai?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Chennai. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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.