Which place is cheaper, Singapore or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chennai or Singapore?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Singapore? 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 Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Singapore $151
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $151. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Singapore $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Singapore $196
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Singapore
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Singapore? 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 $2.61Singapore $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
- Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Private Transfer from Seletar Airport (XSP) to Legoland Malasya: $273
- Private Transfer from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Legoland (Malaysia): $254
- Free Wifi Rental | Two - Way Airport Transfer Minivan (4pax): $184
- Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket with Transfer: $175
- Night Safari with Tram Ride and Hotel Transfer: $168
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): Transfer to Downtown hotels: $163
- Singapore to Kuala Lumpur One Way Transfer: $153
- Private Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore in Luxury Car: $152
- ExhilaratingSentosa MorningTour(Guided Shared Roundtrip Transfer): $150
- Marina Bay Sands & Gardens By The Bay & Transfer: $143
- Singapore to Johor Bahru - Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Marina Cruise Port: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $6.40Singapore $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 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
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.48
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Sugarcane Juice$1.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $46
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $47
- Guided Hawker Culture & Street Food Tour at Night: $65
- Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Marina Bay Sands Yacht Cruise with Dinner: $67
- Eat and Snap in Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $71
- Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour: $72
- Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $74
- Best Ever Katong Food Tour with Local Foodie - Eat till you drop!: $74
- Zebra Urban Safari Bicycle Tour with Local Dinner and Drinks: $75
- Little India Hawker Street Food Tour: $81
- Hands-on Cooking Class with Cultural Immersion: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.77Singapore $32
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- Chennai Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Spiritual Trails of Chennai (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Explore Chennai in Nightlights (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Walking Tour Chennai: $14
- Chennai Night Walk Tour ( 2 hours guided walking tour): $16
- Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $16
- Magical Chennai Markets Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
- Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
- 2 Hour Street Food Walking Tour: $21
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Night Walking Tour of Chennai: $26
- Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- SG Adventure Pass with Dukw Tour: $122
- *17 or 19 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Singapore w' Tour Guide: $185
- *19 Hrs Kuala Lumpur&Melaka Van Tour from Singapore w' Tour Guide: $182
- 1 Hour Admission Ticket for Singapore Cable Car: $26
- 1-way Singapore hotel pickup (Batam private tour guests only): $120
- 3 Ethnic Neighborhoods & UNESCO Street Food / Cultural Experience: $149
- 3 Hour Private Sunset Tour in Singapore: $241
- 3-Hour Marina Bay Best Spots Walking Tour: $68
- 5-Hour Peranakan Heritage Tour with Peranakan Tile Painting : $124
- 6-Hours Singapore Tour in Private Car or Minibus with Driver: $233
- ArtScience Museum Admission Ticket: $23
- Asian Civilisations Museum Admission Ticket: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.08Singapore $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Tour of Tiger Brewery in Singapore: $21
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl:Wildest Nightlife Clubbing: $25
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $26
- Little India Pub Crawl: $26
- Halloween Horror Nightlife PartySingapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $37
- LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour and Craft Beer Tasting: $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Singapore, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Singapore?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Singapore. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Singapore, 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.