Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chennai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?
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.
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Nakhon Ratchasima $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Nakhon Ratchasima $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Nakhon Ratchasima
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.61Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
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
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- 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
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 $6.40Nakhon Ratchasima $15
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 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.77Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
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
- Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
- 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
- Chennai Night Walk Tour ( 2 hours guided walking tour): $16
- Chennai Shore Excursion - Full Day Private Chennai Guided Tour: $80
- Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.08Nakhon Ratchasima $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 4328060 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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.