A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chennai vs. Kampong Cham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chennai or Kampong Cham?

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

Should I visit Chennai or Kampong Cham? 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 Kampong Cham?

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.

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.


Which place is cheaper, Kampong Cham or Chennai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Kampong Cham 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chennai and Kampong Cham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chennai $15
    Kampong Cham $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chennai $30
    Kampong Cham $40
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Kampong Cham

Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Kampong Cham? 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 Kampong Cham


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 $2.61
    Kampong Cham $7.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
  • Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
  • Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
  • Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
  • Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
  • Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
  • Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
  • Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
  • Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
  • Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Kampong Cham?

Prices for flights to both Kampong Cham 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 $6.40
    Kampong Cham $6.46

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 : $37
  • Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
  • Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
  • South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Menna: $54
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
  • Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $76
  • Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in Chennai: $100
  • Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
  • Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $216

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chennai $2.77
    Kampong Cham $5.76

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • St Thomas Mount Tour Chennai: $85
  • Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $44
  • Bazaar Walking tour in George Town: $35
  • Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
  • Bicycle tour in Mahabalipuram with transport from Chennai,lunch & guide: $99
  • Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
  • Chennai Delights: Exploring the Best of the City Tour: $198
  • Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26
  • Chennai Full Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $120
  • Chennai Full Day Sightseeing in a Private Car: $70
  • Chennai Half Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $100
  • Chennai Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chennai $3.08
    Kampong Cham $5.47


When comparing the travel costs between Chennai and Kampong Cham, we can see that Kampong Cham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Chennai or Kampong Cham?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Kampong Cham. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Kampong Cham, 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.