A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Izmir vs. Chennai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Izmir or Chennai?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Izmir and Chennai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Izmir or Chennai?

Izmir

Izmir is a metropolitan city of Turkey and the second most populous city on the Aegean Sea after Athens, Greece. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Most remnants of this past are gone; however, there are a few archaeological sites in addition to beaches, bustling city streets, and colorful markets.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Izmir?

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 Izmir is $80, while the average daily cost in Chennai is $30. 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 Izmir and Chennai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Izmir $39
    Chennai $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Izmir $78
    Chennai $28
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Chennai

Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Chennai? 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 Izmir


Hotels in Chennai


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: Izmir Hotel Prices and Chennai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Izmir $19
    Chennai $2.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:

  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Ayvalik Resort: $242
  • Antalya Airport AYT Transfers to Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels: $238
  • Fethiye-Oludeniz Hotels to Antalya Airport AYT Transfers: $238
  • Transfer from Izmir to Selimiye: $227
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Bozbuk Bay (Akbuk) Hotels: $221
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Akbuk Hotels: $204
  • Izmir Airport ADB Transfers to Yalikoy (Didim) Hotels: $199
  • Izmir Airport (ADB) to Çeşme, Alaçatı Round-Trip Private Transfer: $170
  • VIP Private Transfer | Izmir Airport to Kusadasi or Selcuk: $170
  • Luxury Private Izmir Airport Transfer Service: $160
  • Izmir Airport to Didim Hotels – Private Airport Transfer: $159
  • Private Transfer From Izmir Airport to Kusadasi: $154

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
  • Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $35
  • Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $30
  • Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $30
  • Chennai Airport (MAA) Private Transfer to Chennai City/Hotels: $22
  • Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
  • Chennai Airport: Layover City Guided Tour with Transfers: $48
  • Chennai Private City and Airport Transfer: $27
  • 12-Day Guided Tour to Kochi with Transfers: $1,094
  • Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $44
  • From Chennai Mylapore walking trail with Guide & Transfers: $45
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Chennai?

Prices for flights to both Chennai and Izmir 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
    Izmir $27
    Chennai $9.75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Izmir

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

  • Authentic Dinner Cooking with a Local Family in İzmir: $95
  • Authentic Dinner Cooking with a Local Family in İzmir: $115

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai

For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ayurvedic or South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with an Author: $40
  • Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with Vidhya: $48
  • PRIVATE Chennai Cooking Class in a Local Home with Meena: $54
  • Private Market Visit & Cooking Class in Sundari's Chennai Home: $54
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class near Chennai Airport: $62
  • Traditional Indian Art, Craft and Cooking Tour: $71
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Demo in Chennai in Tara's Home: $76
  • Private tour to learn Traditional Indian Art, craft & Cooking: $80
  • Neighborhood Market Tour & South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai: $152
  • Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Izmir $13
    Chennai $2.44

Tours and Activities in Izmir

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

  • "Izmir to Ephesus: Private Highlights Tour with Fast-Track Entry": $176
  • 2 Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Izmir Hotels: $227
  • Alaçatı & Çeşme Chill Tour: Vibes, Streets & Snapshots: $120
  • Alacati and Cesme Private Tour from Izmir: $153
  • Aqua Fantasy Waterpark Skip the Line Tickets: $54
  • BEST SELLER Small Group Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $112
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $30
  • Budget - Friendly Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $40
  • Budget-Friendly Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $40
  • Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $284
  • Customized Ephesus Private Tour / FOR CRUISE GUESTS ONLY: $170
  • Customized Ephesus Tour with Lunch: $142

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • Explore Chennai City: 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour: $10
  • Tuk-Tuk Tour of Mahabalipuram Monuments: $11
  • Private Night Walking Tour Chennai: $12
  • Explore Chennai City: Guided Walking Tour on Foot: $12
  • Exploring Chennai Bustling Markets: Guided Tour by Foot: $12
  • Spiritual Stories of Guided Tour through Holy Sites: $12
  • Explore Chennai City in Nightlights: Guided Tour by Foot: $12
  • Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $14
  • Mahabalipuram Heritage Day Tour-Approved by Ministry of India: $18
  • Magical Markets Guided Walking Tour: $19
  • Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $19
  • 2 Hour Street Food Walking Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Izmir $5.77
    Chennai $2.71

Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:

  • Wine Tour with Metropolis Ancient City: $120


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Chennai, we can see that Izmir is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Izmir is in Europe and Chennai is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Izmir would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Izmir 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 Izmir Expensive? and Is Chennai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Izmir or Chennai?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Izmir. When comparing the sizes of Izmir and Chennai, 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.