Should you visit Chennai or Darjiling?
Should I visit Chennai or Darjiling? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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 $26, while the average daily cost in Darjiling is $31. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Chennai and Darjiling in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $28 in Chennai For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $24 in Darjiling For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Chennai can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $5.75 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $2.30 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Darjiling cost around $13 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $5.20.
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Food
Meals for one day
Chennai $5.75
Darjiling $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai:
$35
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Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local:
$49
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Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai:
$50
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Private Market Tour and South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with Srividya:
$53
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South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport:
$59
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Private South Indian Cooking Class and Market Visit in Chennai:
$70
Local Transportation
To get around in Chennai, the average visitor spends $2.34 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
To get around in Darjiling, the average visitor spends $6.73 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Chennai to Vellore Transfer by Private Vehicle:
$93
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Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City:
$42
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Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport:
$42
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Departure Private Transfer Chennai City to Chennai MAA Airport by Sedan Car:
$23
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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.
Entertainment
In Chennai, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $2.49 per person, per day.
In Darjiling, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $11 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
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10 days Tamilnadu package tour:
$308
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14-Days Classical South India trip from Chennai by Wonder tours:
$1,640
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2 Days Private Tour from Chennai to Puducherry via Kanchipuram:
$337
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2 day trip to Agra from Chennai with air tickets:
$1,028
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2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Chennai with Commercial Return Flights:
$568
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3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Chennai with one-way Commercial Flight:
$588
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Amala Tour Guide:
$69
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Bazaar Trail Walking Tour in George Town:
$25
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Bharatnatyam Classical Dance Experience in Chennai:
$355
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Chennai Street Food Walking Tour:
$19
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Chennai to Kovalam Temple & Beach Tour:
$1,608
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Chennai to Kovalam Temple & Beach Tour:
$1,608
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Chennai, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $2.77.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Darjiling, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.88.
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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