Which place is cheaper, Cochin or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for India Chennai vs. Cochin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Chennai or Cochin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Cochin? 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 Cochin?
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.
Cochin
Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $30Cochin $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $30, while the average daily cost in Cochin is $37. 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 Cochin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $16Cochin $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $32Cochin $30
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Cochin
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Cochin? 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 Cochin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.62Cochin $9.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Arrival Private Transfer from Chennai Airport MAA to Chennai city by car: $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 Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai MAA Airport by car: $24
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Cochin?
Prices for flights to both Cochin 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 $6.44Cochin $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour in Mylapore, Chennai: $12
- 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $45
- Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
- Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
- Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $51
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
- Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
- Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in Chennai: $100
- Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
- Private South Indian Cooking Class and Market Visit in Chennai: $152
- Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.78Cochin $10
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- Private Night Walking Tour Chennai: $15
- Walking Tour Chennai: $16
- Magical Chennai Markets Tour: $17
- Food Walk Tour Chennai: $17
- Mylapore Walking tour by Wonder tours: $25
- Bazaar Walking tour in George Town: $25
- The Georgetown Bazaar Walking tour : $25
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Night Walking Tour of Chennai: $26
- Chennai Street Food Walking Tour: $27
- Village Tour around Mahabalipuram: $27
- British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.09Cochin $8.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Cochin, we can see that Cochin 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 Cochin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cochin than you might in Chennai.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Cochin?
Chennai is bigger, and its population is about 7.2 times larger than the population of Cochin. When comparing the population of Chennai vs. Cochin, 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Chennai
Related Articles for Cochin
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.
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