Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Mumbai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mumbai or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Chengdu, 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: Mumbai or Chengdu?
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.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $69Chengdu $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $69, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $50. 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 Mumbai and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $34Chengdu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $68Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai or Chengdu? 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.Mumbai $7.77Chengdu $5.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune: $28
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Luxury Van: $93
- 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: $42
- Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $84
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Mumbai & Beyond transfer & travel in a Insured vehicle: Goa-Rajasthan-Gujrat etc: $53
- Mumbai - private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel : $64
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Downtown to Leshan or Mount Emei round way transfer for 2-day service: $251
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $192
- Downtown to Mountain Emei round way transfer for one day service: $189
- Downtown to Leshan round way transfer for one day service: $172
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $160
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport Private Transfer: $119
- Downtown to Dujiangyan round way transfer: $117
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
- Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $110
- Arrival Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Luxury Sedan: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $26Chengdu $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- 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
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show And Hotpot Dinner Evening Tour: $40
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
- Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit: $59
- Sichuan cooking class half day tour: $60
- Chengdu evening food tour by local guide: $60
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
- Sichuan Opera Show VIP Seat Tickets w/ Transfer or Dinner: $71
- Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.66Chengdu $16
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
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
- Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
- Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
- Dharavi Slum Experience with Local Resident English Guide: $9.50
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Leshan Buddha and Drop off off Railway Station Day Tour: $226
- Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
- Private Chengdu day Tour of panda base with Leshan giant Buddha: $298
- Private Full Day Chengdu Panda Base and Jinsha Site Museum Tour: $136
- 1 Day Wolong Panda Nature Reserve Tour: $218
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour : $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Tour: Ancient Poets and Temples: $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.69Chengdu $3.93
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 Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
- 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 Mumbai and Chengdu, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Chengdu?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai and Chengdu, 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.