Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for India Chennai vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Chennai or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Dharamsala? 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 Dharamsala?
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.
Dharamsala
With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $30Dharamsala $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $30, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $36. 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 Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $16Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $32Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Dharamsala? 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 Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.62Dharamsala $5.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Arrival Private Transfer from Chennai Airport MAA to Chennai city by car: $24
- Departure Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai MAA Airport by car: $24
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $26
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Chennai Hotels: $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala 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 $6.44Dharamsala $8.39
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 : $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 $2.78Dharamsala $5.59
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
- Bazaar Walking tour in George Town: $25
- The Georgetown Bazaar Walking tour : $25
- Mylapore Walking tour by Wonder tours: $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
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $299
- Dharamshala: Full Day Customizable City Sightseeing Tour: $38
- Guided Andretta Artists' VIllage Tour: $98
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $37
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $37
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.09Dharamsala $5.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dharamsala than you might in Chennai.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Dharamsala?
Chennai is bigger, and its population is about 221.5 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the population of Chennai vs. Dharamsala, 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
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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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