Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Kerala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kerala or Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kerala or Mumbai, 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 Mumbai?
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.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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.
-
Kerala Prices
India PricesMumbai Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKerala $29Mumbai $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Kerala is $29, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $76. 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 Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKerala $11Mumbai $29
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKerala $22Mumbai $58
Compare Hotels in Kerala and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Kerala or Mumbai? 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kerala $4.36Mumbai $6.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum to Alleppey: Travel Guide: $191
- Private 4-Day Tour in Kerala with Houseboat and Airport Transfers: $179
- Kovalam to Alleppey Private Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Cochin to Munnar Hotel: Hassle-Free Ride: $118
- Private Transfer from Kovalam to Alleppey: Hassle-Free Journey: $108
- Private Transfer from Cochin to Alleppey or Kumarakom Hotel: $79
- Athirappilly Waterfalls Day Trip from Kochi with Transfers: $67
- Airport to Hotel Transfers Kochi: $53
- Private Transfer from Cochin to Cherai: Hassle-Free Travel: $48
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Cochin Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $45
- Private Transfer from Kochi City to Kochi (COK) Airport: $44
- Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Business Car: $64
- Airport Transfer: Mumbai to Mumbai Airport BOM by Van: $110
- Arrival Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Luxury Van: $99
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $64
- Mumbai - private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $39
- Mumbai - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $39
- Mumbai After Dark: Private Night Tour with AC Transfers: $25
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $75
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $51
- Mumbai Airport BOM Private Transfer to Mumbai City Central/Hotels: $24
- Mumbai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Kerala or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai 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 dayKerala $13Mumbai $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.
- 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 with House Chef: $54
- Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $54
- Kerala Muslim Cooking Class with a Riverfront View in Kochi: $69
- Private Traditional Home Cooking Class in Kochi with Archana: $70
- Authentic Kerala Syrian Christian Cooking Class in a Cochin Home: $79
- Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
- Cooking experience in Kochi, a half day tour: $128
- Kochi Over View: Kathakali, Dinner, Pick & Drop Included Tour: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Mumbai Street Food Tour: Taste the City's Best Local Flavors: $25
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
- Lights, Flavour, Action- A Story-Driven Food Tour: $31
- Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
- Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $41
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai in a Local Home: $49
- Private Authentic Bengali Cooking Class & Market Tour in Mumbai: $52
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kerala $8.55Mumbai $2.33
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
- 12 Hours Private Munnar Tour from Kochi: $118
- 2 Nights Misty Munnar Sightseeing (Private Tour with Car) - Iris Holidays: $111
- 2 Nights, 3 Days Kerala Backwaters & Beaches Tour: $310
- 21hrs Houseboat Tour through Alleppeys Serene Canals & Local Life: $167
- 3 Nights Private Deluxe Tour- Cochin/Munnar/Houseboat/Cochin: $258
- 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
- 4 Days - Munnar, Alleppey Houseboat & Kochi sightseeing: $286
- 4 Days Best of Kerala Tour with Private Houseboat, Sightseeing & Car: $185
- 4 Days Private Kerala Tour -Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady with 3* Hotel: $193
- 4 Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi From Cruise terminal: $14
- 4 Hours Private Village Life Experience in Kochi with Pickup: $60
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Dharavi Slum tour in Mumbai by local resident: $4.30
- Private Mumbai City Tour + Dharavi Slum Slumdog Millionaire Tour: $4.30
- Mumbai Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Mumbai Malabar Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Audio Guided Tour – Mumbai Cricket Walk by HopOn India: $5.34
- Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.64
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Untold Stories with Local Guide: $6.44
- Best Slum Tour Dharavi Small Group with a Local: $6.98
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKerala $4.52Mumbai $3.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kerala and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai 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 Mumbai Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Kerala or Mumbai?
Kerala has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mumbai. When comparing the sizes of Kerala and Mumbai, 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.