Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chennai or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Osaka? 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Osaka $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $94. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Osaka $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Osaka $98
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Osaka? 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 Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.60Osaka $15
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 to Thiruvannamalai: Ultimate Guide: $130
- 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 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: $234
- From Private Transfer to Tanjore Car & Driver: $134
- From One-Way Transfer to Kumbakonam Car & Driver: $119
- From One-Way Transfer to Kodaikanal Car & Driver: $191
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
-
Subway$8.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【Tokyo to Osaka】Japan Domestic Private Jet Transfer: $17,456
- Osaka Kyoto Transfer:10 hours English driver: $462
- Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Wakayama.: $461
- Osaka Kansai Int Airport (KIX): Transfer to Osaka hotels: $351
- Osaka Private Transfer from Osaka central to Itami Airport (ITM): $286
- Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $270
- Osaka Airport (ITM) to Kinosakicho Yushima - Arrival Transfer: $252
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $245
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $245
- Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $234
- Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Nara: $234
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $221
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 dayChennai $6.37Osaka $27
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 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
- 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 Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $29
- Osaka : Real Japanese food tour: $36
- 1 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $38
- Osaka" Hidden" Private Local Street Food Tour: $40
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $47
- Daytime food Tour - Osaka Station, Umeda 3 hours: $48
- [Same Day OK] Local food tour: $50
- Food Tour in Shinsekai, 3 Hours: $54
- Home Cooking Class: $55
- Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $58
- Dotonbori/Namba Food Tour in 3 Hours: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.75Osaka $22
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: $91
- 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: $94
- 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 Half Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$32
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $180
- Full-dayTour in Osaka Nara, Todaiji temple and Uji Matcha: $70
- Kyoto and Nara Park One Day Tour from Osaka: $108
- Osaka River Rapids Hike and Natural Hot Spring tour : $51
- “WA”DAIKO RHYTHM QUEST(ワダイコ リズム クエスト) WADAIKO experience: $57
- "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $105
- 1 Day Yoshino Tour get Out to the Cool of the Countryside : $51
- 1 Group Only Tour: Explore Osaka Hidden Nights of Food & Izakaya: $66
- 1-Day Osaka to Kyoto: Temples, Castles & Culture Tour: $533
- 1-Day walking tour in Osaka：Castle, temples and Ukiyoe: $151
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $200
- 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $29
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.06Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $34
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $40
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Osaka?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Osaka, 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.