Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Maharashtra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Maharashtra or Kerala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Maharashtra and Kerala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Maharashtra or Kerala?
Maharashtra
As the third largest state in India geographically, Maharashtra has its fair share of temples, ruins, landmarks , historic sites, natural scenery, and lookout points, amongst much more - all rich with the culture and heritage of India.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMaharashtra $63Kerala $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Maharashtra is $63, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $0.00. 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 Maharashtra and Kerala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMaharashtra $28Kerala -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMaharashtra $56Kerala $0.00
Compare Hotels in Maharashtra and Kerala
Looking for a hotel in Maharashtra or Kerala? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Maharashtra $9.27Kerala -
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
- Cochin - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $25
- Cochin - private departure transfer from hotel to airport: $39
- 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 Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $35
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum Airport to Kovalam Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum Airport to Varkala Hotel: $70
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum City to Trivandrum (TRV) Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Maharashtra or Kerala?
Prices for flights to both Kerala and Maharashtra 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 dayMaharashtra $23Kerala -
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.
- 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
- Tyndis Fort Cochin Traditional Culinary Experience - Homely Food Tour in Kochi: $47
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Maharashtra $11Kerala -
Tours and Activities in Maharashtra
Here are a few actual costs in Maharashtra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Elephanta Caves with Bollywood Tour in Mumbai: $310
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 ) : $8.58
- 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
- Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour by Experienced Story Teller : $12
- Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $12
- 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
- Kochi Stories Group Tour: $12
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Trivandrum 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Kochi Night Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Fortkochi Private Tuk Tuk Tour: $13
- Night Walk Tour Kochi: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMaharashtra $10Kerala -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maharashtra and Kerala, we can see that Maharashtra 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 Maharashtra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maharashtra 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 Maharashtra Expensive? and Is Kerala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Maharashtra or Kerala?
Maharashtra has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kerala. When comparing the sizes of Maharashtra and Kerala, 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.