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

Should you visit Chennai or Goa?

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

Should I visit Chennai or Goa? 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 Goa?

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.

Goa

Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.

A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.

This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Goa or Chennai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $34, while the average daily cost in Goa is $0.00. 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 Goa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chennai $15
    Goa -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chennai $30
    Goa $0.00
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Goa

Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Goa? 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 Goa


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chennai $2.59
    Goa -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • VIP Chennai Airport Transfer: Comfort & Convenience: $24
  • Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $38
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $28
  • Private Chennai to Pondicherry Transfer: $130
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
  • Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $234
  • From Private Transfer to Tanjore Car & Driver: $133
  • From One-Way Transfer to Kumbakonam Car & Driver: $119
  • From One-Way Transfer to Kodaikanal Car & Driver: $190
  • Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
  • Chennai to Vellore Transfer by Private Vehicle: $94

Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Goa?

Prices for flights to both Goa 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 $11
    Goa -

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: $46
  • South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
  • Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai in a Local Home: $74
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $76
  • 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: $216

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chennai $2.75
    Goa -

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • British Buildings & the Story of Chennai walking tour with guide: $55
  • Chennai Private Tour with Female Guide: $98
  • Sowcarpet Street Food Walking Tour in Chennai with guide: $45
  • A Private Day tour from Chennai to Gingee & Thiruvannamalai: $90
  • Agra Taj Tour from Chennai: $220
  • Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $44
  • Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
  • Bicycle tour in Mahabalipuram with transport from Chennai,lunch & guide: $99
  • Big Fat Indian Wedding, shopping & bazaar walking tour in Chennai: $35
  • Birds & Beyond: Chennai to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Day Tour: $135
  • British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours: $49
  • British Architecture Walk, an immersive walking tour in Chennai: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chennai $3.06
    Goa -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Goa, we can see that Chennai is more expensive. And not only is Goa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Goa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Goa 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 Chennai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chennai than you might in Goa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chennai Expensive? and Is Goa Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Chennai or Goa?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Goa. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Goa, 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.