A Travel Price Comparison for India Kerala vs. Cochin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kerala or Cochin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kerala or Cochin, 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: Kerala or Cochin?

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.

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.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Cochin or Kerala?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kerala is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Cochin is $36. 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 Kerala and Cochin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kerala -
    Cochin $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kerala $0.00
    Cochin $30
Compare Hotels in Kerala and Cochin

Looking for a hotel in Kerala or Cochin? 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 Kerala


Hotels in Cochin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kerala -
    Cochin $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:

  • Affordable Trivandrum Airport Transfer: $15
  • Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40
  • Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35
  • Airport to Hotel Transfers Kochi: $68
  • Cochin - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $25
  • Cochin - private departure transfer from hotel to airport: $39
  • Fort Kochi Hotels to Cochin Airport Private Transfer: $40
  • Kochi Airport Transfer: $15
  • Kochi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $18
  • Private Transfer from Kochi (COK) Airport to Kochi City: $41
  • Private Transfer from Kochi City to Kochi (COK) Airport: $41
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Kerala or Cochin?

Prices for flights to both Cochin and Kerala 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
    Kerala -
    Cochin $12

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
  • Private candle light dinner: $22
  • 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26
  • Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $33
  • Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
  • Get a Glimpse into a Traditional Nair Household during a Private Cooking Class: $45
  • Kathakali Dance Show in Kochi with Dinner and Hotel Pick Up: $61
  • Traditional Kerala Cooking Class in a Local Home in Kochi: $66
  • Private Cooking Demonstration for Your Group in a Kochi Home: $75
  • Kochi Over View & Kathakali & Dinner.Tour: $75
  • Cooking experience in Kochi, a half day tour: $128
  • Kathakali Classical Dance Performance with Dinner: $141

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kerala -
    Cochin $10

Tours and Activities in Kerala

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

  • Medium Hard Trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ) : $8.60
  • Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour: $9.00
  • Local and personalized Tours of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry by Tuk Tuk: $10
  • Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
  • Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $12
  • 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
  • Heritage & Cultural Walk of Trivandrum 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Kochi Stories Group Tour: $12
  • Private Guided Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tours: $13
  • Kochi Night Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage & Cultural Walk of Alleppey (Guided Walking Tour): $14
  • Jewish Town Walk - Kochi (2 Hours Guided Walking Experience): $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kerala -
    Cochin $8.79


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

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


Which has a larger population, Kerala or Cochin?

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