Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Cochin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cochin or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cochin or Kolkata (Calcutta), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Cochin or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Cochin
Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCochin $37Kolkata (Calcutta) $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Cochin is $37, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Cochin and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCochin $15Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCochin $30Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Cochin and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Cochin or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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: Cochin Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cochin $10Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $60
- Private Transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport to Kolkata: $60
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Cochin or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Cochin 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 dayCochin $12Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $40
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cochin $10Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $31
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour : $35
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
- The Taste of Kolkata - Evening Food Walk Tour: $40
- Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
- Heritage sightseeing tours(Walking tours): $41
- Magic Hour Tour: $43
- Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCochin $8.80Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.28
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Cochin and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kolkata (Calcutta) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cochin Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cochin or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cochin. When comparing the sizes of Cochin and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.