Which place is cheaper, Agra or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Chennai or Agra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Agra? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chennai or Agra?
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.
Agra
In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.
While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.
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Chennai Prices
India PricesAgra Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $30Agra $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $30, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 Chennai and Agra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $14Agra $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $28Agra $28
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Agra
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Agra? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chennai Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.30Agra $9.09
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
- Private Departure Transfer: Chennai Hotels to Chennai Airport (MAA): $35
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $35
- Private Chennai Airport Transfer Arrival to Hotel: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Budget Transfer by Car from Agra to Varanasi Hotel: $200
- One-Way Transfers Agra to Delhi with Bird Park & fatehpur visits: $194
- Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Private Transfer : Agra to Varanasi by Car: $180
- Private Transfer- Agra city to Delhi via Mathura: $169
- Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
- Private Transfer From Agra To Udaipur: $160
- Private One Way Transfer From Agra To Udaipur: $150
- Transfer from Agra or Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $140
- Agra Half-Day City Tour and Transfer to Delhi: $136
- Private Transfer Agra to Varanasi by Car: $130
- Agra to Delhi airport transfer by air-conditioned car: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Agra?
Prices for flights to both Agra and Chennai 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 dayChennai $9.75Agra $24
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
Typical Food Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:
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Breakfast for Two$1.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agra's Tea demonstration & Food Tour: $15
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
- Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $19
- Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
- Agra's best cooking classes: $27
- Agra Street Food Tour and Sadar Bazar Walking Tour: $30
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
- Seth Gali Bazaar Walk with Lavish on table barbecue dinner: $38
- Story of Spices- A Food Tour of Agra: $40
- Dinner at Agra with local Indian family: $40
- Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $40
- Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.44Agra $17
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-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
- Auto Rickshaw Tour of Mahabalipuram: $82
- Best of Chennai and Mahabalipuram Full Day Private Guided Tour: $99
- Best of Guided Half Day City Tour with a local: $43
- Best of Guided Half-Day City Tour with Hotel Pickup: $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra
For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entry to the Red Fort for Two$6.32
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Taj Mahal for Two$16
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- "Taj Mahal Ticket & Guide: $14
- 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $74
- 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
- 1 Day Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Agra with Fatehpur Sikri: $90
- 11-Hour Agra Day Tour : Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal: $69
- 2 Day Golden Triangle Private Tour From Agra: $205
- 2 Day: Jaipur Tour from Agra with 5 Star Hotel & Drop at Delhi: $216
- 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85
- 2 Days Private Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Overnight Tour: $118
- 2 Days Taj Mahal Agra Tour with Fatehpur Sikri From Delhi: $151
- 2 Days Taj Mahal Private Tour and Hidden Gems: $48
- 2 Days: Private Agra City Tour: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $2.71Agra $8.48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Agra, we can see that Agra is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Agra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Agra 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 Chennai Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Agra?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Agra. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Agra, 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.