A Travel Price Comparison for India Chennai vs. Darjiling for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Chennai or Darjiling?

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

Should I visit Chennai or Darjiling? 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 Darjiling?

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.

Darjiling

What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.

Which city is cheaper, Darjiling or Chennai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $24, while the average daily cost in Darjiling is $28. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chennai and Darjiling in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chennai $13
    Darjiling $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chennai $26
    Darjiling $22
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Darjiling

Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Darjiling? 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 Chennai


Hotels in Darjiling


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 Darjiling Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chennai $2.12
    Darjiling $6.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • Chennai to Vellore Transfer by Private Vehicle: $93
  • Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $42
  • Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $42
  • Departure Private Transfer Chennai City to Chennai MAA Airport by Sedan Car: $23
  • Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Darjiling?

Prices for flights to both Darjiling 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chennai $5.20
    Darjiling $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai

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

  • Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $35
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $49
  • Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $50
  • Private Market Tour and South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with Srividya: $53
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $59
  • Private South Indian Cooking Class and Market Visit in Chennai: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chennai $2.25
    Darjiling $9.79

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • 10 days Tamilnadu package tour: $308
  • 14-Days Classical South India trip from Chennai by Wonder tours: $1,640
  • 2 Days Private Tour from Chennai to Puducherry via Kanchipuram: $337
  • 2 day trip to Agra from Chennai with air tickets: $1,028
  • 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Chennai with Commercial Return Flights: $568
  • 3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Chennai with one-way Commercial Flight: $588
  • Amala Tour Guide: $69
  • Bazaar Trail Walking Tour in George Town: $25
  • Bharatnatyam Classical Dance Experience in Chennai: $355
  • Chennai Street Food Walking Tour: $19
  • Chennai to Kovalam Temple & Beach Tour: $1,608
  • Chennai to Kovalam Temple & Beach Tour: $1,608

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chennai $2.50
    Darjiling $7.13

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Darjiling, we can see that Darjiling 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 Darjiling would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darjiling than you might in Chennai.

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Chennai vs. Darjiling Travel Comparison

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