Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Delhi or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Chengdu, 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: Delhi or Chengdu?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, The Best Photography Tours in India, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $44Chengdu $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $44, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $51. 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 Delhi and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Chengdu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Delhi or Chengdu? 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: Delhi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.25Chengdu $6.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
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Taxi to Airport$1.90
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Subway$0.38
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Uber Cab$0.95
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
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Auto-rickshaw$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- 3-Day City Tour of Old and New Delhi with Airport Transfers: $180
- 3-Days Amritsar tour from Delhi Includes Hotel,Train tickets & Transfers: $200
- 3-Days Delhi and Varanasi Tour by Express Train.Includes,Hotel Transfers.: $275
- 3-days Jaipur,Delhi Tour by Fast Train includes,Train tickets,Hotel & Transfers: $190
- 4 Hrs Private Old Delhi Tour covering Temple ,Spice Market with Transfers: $49
- A Delectable Meal At The Great Kebab Factory with Private Transfer: $172
- Aerial yoga class with private transfers: $31
- Affordable transfer from Delhi to Dehradun: $37
- Affordable transfer from Delhi to Rishikesh: $35
- Agra Hotels Private Transfer From New Delhi Airport: $51
- Airport Transfers - Delhi Airport to Hotel OR Hotel to Airport: $40
- Akshardham Temple Tour Exhibition, Light & Water Show with Transfers: $99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Dujiangyan panda base tour opt Chengdu base transfer with ticket: $70
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $240
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $40
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Chengdu Private Transfer from Chengdu central to Chengdu Airport (CTU): $83
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Chauffeur Service, Chengdu Airport Transfer, Pickup: $53
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Transfer to Downtown Hotel: $32
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport: Private Transfer to/from Chengdu: $38
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport Private Transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Delhi 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 dayDelhi $12Chengdu $22
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Food Tour in Delhi: $31
- Old Delhi Heritage Sightseeing | Walking Tour | Street Food Tour: $34
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $35
- Food Tour to Old Delhi with a Local: $38
- Evening Food Tour: $40
- Vegetarian : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $44
- Delhi by Evening Tour by Private Air-Condition vehicle includes Dinner. : $45
- Chandni Chowk Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market: $45
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Delhi Kabul Cooking Class: $50
- Unzip Old Delhi with Rickshaw Ride and Food Tour at Chandni Chowk - 4 hours: $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $76
- Tuk Tuk Food Tour with Unlimited Beer and Soda: $79
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Chengdu $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Tour from Delhi with 5* Lunch: $2.50
- From Delhi : Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour By AC Car: $2.50
- Skip-The-Line Sunrise Taj Mahal & Agra Tour with Multi-Options: $2.50
- Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi by Car - All Inclusive: $3.25
- Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour by AC Car From Delhi: $3.25
- Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi by Car: $3.25
- Private Guided Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with All inclusive: $3.50
- Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi By Car: $3.50
- Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour From Delhi by Car: $3.52
- Taj Mahal And Agra Tour From Delhi by Car- Including Lunch : $3.75
- Same day Taj mahal and agra fort tour by car: $4.00
- Taj Mahal Sunrise & Sunset Garden Tour From Delhi : $4.00
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Agent ticket booking service: Online ticket booking in China: $10
- Sichuan Opera night show Jinjiang theater tickets: $13
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Half Day Tour(Private): $16
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $18
- Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan One-Day Private Tour: $18
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Private Tour or Tickets Only: $19
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $19
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Ticket pre-booking: $20
- Private Tour of Chengdu's Top 3 Must-go Attractions w Photo Shoot: $20
- Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket: $21
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.63Chengdu $4.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Delhi
Also in Delhi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $28
When comparing the travel costs between Delhi and Chengdu, we can see that Chengdu 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 Delhi Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Chengdu?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Delhi and Chengdu, 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.