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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Chennai?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Chennai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Koh Lanta or Chennai?

Koh Lanta

Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.

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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Koh Lanta?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $48, while the average daily cost in Chennai is $29. 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 Koh Lanta and Chennai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Lanta $24
    Chennai $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Lanta $48
    Chennai $30
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Chennai

Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta


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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Chennai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Lanta $5.66
    Chennai $2.61
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:


  • Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:

  • Koh lanta to phuket any hotel Private transfer: $171
  • Koh Lanta :Krabi Airport Private Transfer:From Airport or Hotel: $111
  • Pravate Transfer Lanta Island to Krabi Airport, Krabi Town, Ao nang: $74
  • One-Way Transfer from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town or Airport by Minivan: $11

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: $20
  • Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
  • Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
  • Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
  • Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
  • Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
  • Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Chennai?

Prices for flights to both Chennai and Koh Lanta 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
    Koh Lanta $11
    Chennai $6.40
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:


  • Casual Breakfast
    $4.36
  • Casual Lunch
    $7.36
  • Casual Dinner
    $12
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Lanta

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

  • Cooking Experience at Lanta Thai Cookery School From Koh Lanta: $48
  • Sukho Cuisine Thai Cooking School From Koh Lanta: $52
  • Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $53
  • Cooking Class & Market Tour with Thai Master Chef at Sukho Cuisine, Lanta: $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai

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

  • 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $37
  • Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
  • Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
  • South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Menna: $54
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
  • Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
  • Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Lanta $31
    Chennai $2.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta

Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Emerald Cave Tour
    $19
  • Yoga Session (1 Hour)
    $9.55

Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta

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

  • 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $28
  • 4 Islands Day Tour By Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
  • Full Day Sea Cave and Mangrove Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $52
  • Half Day 2 Caves Ko Skull Tour Ko Lanta and Kayaking Ko Talabeng: $25
  • Half Day Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $29
  • Koh Ha Koh Rok Day Tour by Opal Travel Speed boat: $47
  • Koh Ngai, Koh Muk + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour by Classic Longtail Boat: $32
  • Koh Phi Phi Day Tour by Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
  • Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $26
  • Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $26
  • Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $30
  • Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • Spiritual Trails of Chennai (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Explore Chennai in Nightlights (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Chennai Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $16
  • Chennai Night Walk Tour ( 2 hours guided walking tour): $16
  • Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • Magical Chennai Markets Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • 2 Hour Street Food Walking Tour: $21
  • Food Walk Tour Chennai: $25
  • Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
  • Night Walking Tour of Chennai: $26
  • Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Lanta $3.79
    Chennai $3.08


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Chennai, we can see that Koh Lanta is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koh Lanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Chennai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Chennai?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 710 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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.