Which place is cheaper, Kunming or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chennai or Kunming?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Kunming? 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 Kunming?
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.
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Kunming $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $69. 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 Kunming in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Kunming $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Kunming $66
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Kunming
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Kunming? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.60Kunming $14
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: $234
- From One-Way Transfer to Kodaikanal Car & Driver: $191
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
- From Private Transfer to Tanjore Car & Driver: $133
- Private Chennai to Pondicherry Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Chennai to Thiruvannamalai: Ultimate Guide: $130
- From One-Way Transfer to Kumbakonam Car & Driver: $119
- Chennai to Vellore Transfer by Private Vehicle: $94
- A Private Transfer: From Chennai to Kanchipuram Car & Driver: $83
- Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $38
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $38
- Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport Private Transfer: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- One way Kunming airport to hotel private transfer: $41
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Kunming?
Prices for flights to both Kunming 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 $6.37Kunming $23
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
- 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: $216
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kunming evening food tour with locals: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.75Kunming $19
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- Chennai Private Tour with Female Guide: $98
- A Private Day tour from Chennai to Gingee & Thiruvannamalai: $90
- 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: $94
- Birds & Beyond: Chennai to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Day Tour: $135
- British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours: $47
- CHENNAI FULL DAY TOUR: $72
- Chennai - Guided half day private city tour : $52
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Chennai Delights: Exploring the Best of the City Tour: $198
- Chennai Full Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $119
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- 1-Day Self-Guided Stone Forest Geological Park Tour from Kunming: $106
- 1-Day Stone Forest Geological Park Private Tour with the Lunch from Kunming: $201
- Kunming Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave with Boat Ride : $209
- 1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour: $196
- 1- Day Kunming Short Hiking Tour: $122
- 1-Day Dongchuan Red Land Photography Private Tour from Kunming: $269
- 1-Day Kunming tour with the West Hill,Dragon Gate and Bamboo Temple: $222
- Classical Yunnan 8days highlights tour start from Kunming: $1,395
- Essences of Kunming Downtown Day Tour: $129
- Full Day Private Kunming Sedan Chair Snow Mountain Tour: $130
- Full-Day Private Tour to Fuxian Lake from Kunming with Lunch: $188
- Half Day Flower Tour in Kunming: $91
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.06Kunming $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Kunming, we can see that Kunming 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 Kunming would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kunming 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 Kunming Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Kunming?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kunming. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Kunming, 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.
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.