Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Kerala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKerala $0.00Mumbai $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Kerala is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $69. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKerala -Mumbai $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKerala $0.00Mumbai $68
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kerala -Mumbai $7.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Trivandrum to Alleppey Private Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Munnar: $105
- Private Transfer:Fort Kochi to Munnar: $100
- Airport to Hotel Transfers Kochi: $68
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Kochi Hotels: $50
- Trivandrum Airport Transfer to Trivandrum Hotels: $47
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Cochin Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $45
- Private Transfer from Kochi (COK) Airport to Kochi City: $41
- Private Transfer from Kochi City to Kochi (COK) Airport: $41
- Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40
- Fort Kochi Hotels to Cochin Airport Private Transfer: $40
- Cochin - private departure transfer from hotel to airport: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $60
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $43
- Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $42
- Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $84
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Mumbai - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $64
- Mumbai Airport Transfers : Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Car: $109
- Mumbai Airport Transfers : Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
- Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Mumbai City Tour With Laundry And Hotel Transfers (South Mumbai): $46
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
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Food Meals for one dayKerala -Mumbai $26
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $23
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
- Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
- Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
- Street Food Tour: $32
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kerala -Mumbai $2.66
Tours and Activities in Kerala
Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Cochin Tour (From City Hotel Only): $59
- Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $15
- Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking): $62
- "Day Trip to Varkala from Trivandrum (Guided Full Day City Tour)": $148
- 12 Hours Private Munnar Tour from Kochi: $135
- 2-Hours Street Food Guided Tour of Thiruvananthapuram: $25
- 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
- 4 Days Best of Kerala Tour with Private Houseboat, Sightseeing & Car: $212
- 4 Hours Private Village Life Experience in Kochi with Pickup: $69
- 5 Days Budget Kerala Tour Packages: $282
- A private guided day tour in kochi: $150
- Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in kochi - A Private Guided Tour with Hotel Pick up : $14
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
- Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.72
- Mumbai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.72
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
- Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKerala -Mumbai $3.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
- Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $152
- Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163
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.