Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Cochin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cochin or Shangri-La?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cochin or Shangri-La, 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 Shangri-La?
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.
Shangri-La
The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCochin $36Shangri-La $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Cochin is $36, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La is $46. 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 Shangri-La in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCochin $15Shangri-La $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCochin $30Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Cochin and Shangri-La
Looking for a hotel in Cochin or Shangri-La? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cochin $9.90Shangri-La $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:
- Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160
- Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Cochin or Shangri-La?
Prices for flights to both Shangri-La 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 $12Shangri-La $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cochin $10Shangri-La $16
Tours and Activities in Shangri-La
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:
- 1 day Shangri-La Highlights Mini Private Tour: $117
- 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
- 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
- 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
- Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $199
- 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCochin $8.79Shangri-La $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cochin and Shangri-La, we can see that Shangri-La is more expensive. And not only is Cochin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cochin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cochin 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 Shangri-La would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shangri-La than you might in Cochin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cochin Expensive? and Is Shangri-La Expensive?.
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.