A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Kerala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Kerala?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Kerala can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Kerala?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Kerala

Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.

This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.

Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.

The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $52, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $464. 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 Islamabad and Kerala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Kerala $256
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Kerala $512
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Kerala

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Kerala? 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.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Kerala


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.65
    Kerala $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad Airport Transfers: $54
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:

  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum to Alleppey: Travel Guide: $191
  • Private Transfer from Cochin to Isha Foundation Coimbatore: $170
  • Kovalam to Alleppey Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer from Kovalam to Alleppey: Hassle-Free Journey: $108
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Munnar: $105
  • Private Transfer:Fort Kochi to Munnar: $100
  • Cochin to Vagamon Transfer: $80
  • Athirappilly Waterfalls Day Trip from Kochi with Transfers: $67
  • Airport to Hotel Transfers Kochi: $53
  • Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40
  • Cochin - private departure transfer from hotel to airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Kerala?

Prices for flights to both Kerala and Islamabad 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 day
    Islamabad $26
    Kerala $165

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.

  • Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
  • Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $20
  • Private candle light dinner: $20
  • WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
  • Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $35
  • Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
  • Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $54
  • Private Traditional Home Cooking Class in Kochi with Archana: $70
  • Group Kerala Cooking Demo & Home Dining Experience in Kochi: $75
  • Authentic Kerala Syrian Christian Cooking Class in a Cochin Home: $79
  • Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
  • Kochi Over View: Kathakali, Dinner, Pick & Drop Included Tour: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.44
    Kerala $78

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • Full Day Islamabad & Taxila UNESCO Site Tour: $78
  • Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
  • Half Day Private Instagram Guided City Tour: $80
  • Islamabad City Tour: $80
  • Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
  • Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • Rawalpindi guided private city tour, Old City Charm: $100
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization: $100

Tours and Activities in Kerala

Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day Activity Adventure Trekking Kerala: $111
  • 2 Nights Misty Munnar Sightseeing (Private Tour with Car) - Iris Holidays: $112
  • 2 Nights, 3 Days Kerala Backwaters & Beaches Tour: $310
  • 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
  • 4 Days - Munnar, Alleppey Houseboat & Kochi sightseeing: $283
  • 4 Days Best of Kerala Tour with Private Houseboat, Sightseeing & Car: $187
  • 4 Days Private Kerala Tour -Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady with 3* Hotel: $195
  • 4 Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi From Cruise terminal: $14
  • 4 Hours Private Village Life Experience in Kochi with Pickup: $61
  • 4 nights-Budget Tour- Cochin/Munnar/Thekkady/Houseboat / Cochin: $263
  • 5 Days Luxury Kerala Tour with Houseboat Experience Private Tour: $4.34
  • A Private day Tour Through Alleppey, Marari, and Fort Kochi: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.87
    Kerala $73


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Kerala, we can see that Kerala is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Kerala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kerala than you might in Islamabad.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Kerala Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Islamabad or Kerala?

Kerala has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Kerala, 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.

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