Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kerala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kerala or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kerala or Kolkata (Calcutta), 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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.
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Kerala Prices
India PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKerala $461Kolkata (Calcutta) $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Kerala is $461, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $42. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKerala $254Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKerala $508Kolkata (Calcutta) $30
Compare Hotels in Kerala and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Kerala or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kerala $36Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Kochi: Kathakali, Theyyam & Kalaripayattu Show with Transfers: $11
- Kochi Taxi Service and Airport Transfers: $11
- Cochin Airport One Way Transfer(Private): $13
- Affordable Trivandrum Airport Transfer: $15
- Kochi Airport Transfer: $15
- Theyyam and Kalaripayattu Show in Kochi with Transfer: $17
- Kochi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $18
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Fort Kochi/City Hotels: $20
- Private Trivandrum Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Private Transfer: Trivandrum Airport (TRV) to Kovalam Hotels: $35
- Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $74
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $44
- Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $43
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $64
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Kerala or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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
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Food Meals for one dayKerala $163Kolkata (Calcutta) $22
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: $19
- Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $19
- WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
- Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $34
- Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
- Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $54
- Biryani Cooking class with House Chef: $54
- Kerala Muslim Cooking Class with a Riverfront View in Kochi: $69
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $39
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $39
- Alleyway Food Tour: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kerala $77Kolkata (Calcutta) $13
Tours and Activities in Kerala
Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5 Days Luxury Kerala Tour with Houseboat Experience Private Tour: $5.37
- Tuk-Tuk Shopping Tour in Kochi – Spices,Crafts,Silks & Souvenirs: $6.00
- Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $6.87
- Local Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $8.00
- Half Day Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi - Private Tour with Hotel Pick up: $8.58
- Cruise Pickup Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour in Fort Kochi: $8.59
- Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup From Cruise Ships: $9.00
- Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $9.00
- Half-Day Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Fort Kochi: $9.21
- Shikara Boat Tour Alleppey Backwater Fantastic Boat Cruise: $9.39
- Authentic Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour of Kochi with Local Guide: $9.66
- Fort Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $9.66
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $21
- Flower Market Colors and Ganges Ghat Experience: $30
- Walk Through Tales ( Heritage Tour ): $32
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $34
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $35
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $38
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $38
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $39
- Magic Hour Tour: $40
- Heritage sightseeing tours(Walking tours): $41
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKerala $73Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kerala and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kerala is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kerala Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Kerala or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kerala has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kolkata (Calcutta). When comparing the sizes of Kerala and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.