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

Should you visit Chennai or Kobe?

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

Should I visit Chennai or Kobe? 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 Kobe?

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.

Kobe

Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kobe 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 Kobe is $103. 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 Kobe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chennai $15
    Kobe $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chennai $30
    Kobe $120
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Kobe

Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Kobe? 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 Kobe


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 Kobe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chennai $2.61
    Kobe $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
  • Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
  • Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
  • Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
  • Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
  • Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
  • Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
  • Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
  • Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe

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

  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $240
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $183
  • Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $164
  • Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $163
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $163
  • Arima-Onsen Resort to Osaka Kansai Airport KIX-Departure Transfer: $133
  • Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $132
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $107
  • Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $92
  • Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $63
  • Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Kobe?

Prices for flights to both Kobe 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
    Kobe $30

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe

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

  • Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $207
  • One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $272
  • One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $297

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chennai $2.77
    Kobe $23

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

Tours and Activities in Kobe

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

  • 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $168
  • 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $134
  • 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $167
  • A Tour to Learn all about the international port city, Kobe!: $153
  • Cruise Stop-Over: Explore The City From Kobe Port: $238
  • Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $136
  • Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $149
  • Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $94
  • Himeji and Private Guided 1 Day Tour: $228
  • KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $83
  • KOBE Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]: $282
  • KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chennai $3.08
    Kobe $8.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:

  • 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $83
  • Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $85
  • Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $133
  • 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $174


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

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


Which is Bigger, Chennai or Kobe?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Kobe, 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.

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