Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Munnar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Munnar or Chennai?
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 Munnar and Chennai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Munnar or Chennai?
Munnar
The name Munnar brings the picture of vast tea estates in front of our eyes. The hilly region is full of tea plantations which spread across acres and acres. The misty valleys in between add beauty to the greenery along with clouds. With the soul-stirring surrounding and panoramic charm of nature, Munnar is enriched with an opulent floral beauty. The green tea meadows make it even more vibrant. If you want to sleep in the lap of nature for some time amid the utmost serenity, no other place in Kerala can be better than Munnar. So, unleash yourself here and get the most of it.
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 2-Week Tours in India, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMunnar $29Chennai $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Munnar is $29, 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 Munnar and Chennai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMunnar $13Chennai $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMunnar $26Chennai $30
Compare Hotels in Munnar and Chennai
Looking for a hotel in Munnar 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.
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: Munnar Hotel Prices and Chennai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Munnar $5.09Chennai $2.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munnar
Also for Munnar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kochi to Munnar Transfer: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $28
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Munnar or Chennai?
Prices for flights to both Chennai and Munnar 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 dayMunnar $9.86Chennai $6.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munnar
For Munnar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Munnar $12Chennai $2.77
Tours and Activities in Munnar
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Munnar.
- Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $15
- Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking): $62
- Chettinad Crafts And Culture Tour - From Madurai: $214
- Chinnar Wild-life Visiting Tour (Eravikulam National Park): $48
- Chinnar wild valley experience day tour ( By Munnar Info): $16
- Full Day Tour Of Munnar: $218
- Full Day Trekking Tour In Munnar: $185
- Full Day Trekking Tour In Munnar With Refreshments: $219
- Fullday Trekking in Chokaramudi (munnar valley Trekking & Tours) : $18
- Half Day Sunrise Tour on Top Station, Munnar ( By Munnar Info): $75
- Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
- Kochi to Thattekkad/ Kallarkutty/ Munnar Tour (One Way Trip): $126
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- St Thomas Mount Tour Chennai: $85
- Agra Taj Tour from Chennai: $220
- Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $44
- Bazaar Walking tour in George Town: $35
- Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
- Bicycle tour in Mahabalipuram with transport from Chennai,lunch & guide: $99
- Birds & Beyond: Chennai to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Day Tour: $135
- British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours: $49
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26
- Chennai Full Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $110
- Chennai Full Day Sightseeing in a Private Car: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMunnar $6.10Chennai $3.08
When comparing the travel costs between Munnar and Chennai, we can see that Chennai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Munnar Expensive? and Is Chennai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Munnar or Chennai?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Munnar. When comparing the sizes of Munnar 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.
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.