A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamukkale vs. Kerala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale and Kerala can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Kerala?

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

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 Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Pamukkale?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $142, while the average daily cost in Kerala 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 Pamukkale and Kerala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamukkale $38
    Kerala $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamukkale $76
    Kerala $22
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Kerala

Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale 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.

Hotels in Pamukkale


Hotels in Kerala


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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamukkale $24
    Kerala $4.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale

Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Antalya/Belek/Lara: Land Of legends Night Show Transfer: $20
  • City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Center Private Transfer: $244
  • Denizli Airport Transfer From Pamukkale - Karahayit Hotels: $85
  • Denizli Airport Transfer to Pamukkale (Private): $141
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $111
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $111
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $111
  • Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $145
  • Gumbet Turkish Bath with hotel transfer and Oil massage: $38
  • Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $85
  • Pamukkale : Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Flight w/Transfer: $70
  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $179

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:

  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum to Alleppey: Travel Guide: $191
  • Private 4-Day Tour in Kerala with Houseboat and Airport Transfers: $179
  • Kovalam to Alleppey Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer from Cochin to Munnar Hotel: Hassle-Free Ride: $118
  • Private Transfer from Kovalam to Alleppey: Hassle-Free Journey: $108
  • Private Transfer from Cochin to Alleppey or Kumarakom Hotel: $79
  • Athirappilly Waterfalls Day Trip from Kochi with Transfers: $67
  • Airport to Hotel Transfers Kochi: $53
  • Private Transfer from Cochin to Cherai: Hassle-Free Travel: $48
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Cochin Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $45
  • Private Transfer from Kochi City to Kochi (COK) Airport: $44
  • Affordable transfer from Kochi to Munnar: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Kerala?

Prices for flights to both Kerala and Pamukkale 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
    Pamukkale $83
    Kerala $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pamukkale

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

  • Private Pamukkale Sunset Tour With Dinner&Wine: $250

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala

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

  • Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $19
  • WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
  • Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $34
  • Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
  • Biryani Cooking class with House Chef: $54
  • Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $54
  • Kerala Muslim Cooking Class with a Riverfront View in Kochi: $69
  • Private Traditional Home Cooking Class in Kochi with Archana: $70
  • Authentic Kerala Syrian Christian Cooking Class in a Cochin Home: $79
  • Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
  • Cooking experience in Kochi, a half day tour: $128
  • Kochi Over View: Kathakali, Dinner, Pick & Drop Included Tour: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pamukkale $37
    Kerala $8.55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale

For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance fees Travertines & Pool
    $1.38

Tours and Activities in Pamukkale

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

  • Antalya/Belek: Pamukkale Day Tour w/Optional Hot Air Balloon: $24
  • From Antalya / Kemer: Full-Day Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour: $41
  • From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $47
  • Pamukkale and Hierapolis Entry Tickets and Audio Guide: $50
  • Pamukkale Paragliding Experience By Local Expert Pilots: $64
  • Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $65
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • Pamukkale&Hierapolis Small Group Tour (Entrance Tickets Extra): $70
  • Natural Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale - Small Group: $80
  • Izmir: Ephesus, House of Mary Tour w/Entry Tickets & Lunch: $84
  • Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $88
  • Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $91

Tours and Activities in Kerala

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

  • 1 Day Activity Adventure Trekking Kerala: $111
  • 12 Hours Private Munnar Tour from Kochi: $118
  • 2 Nights Misty Munnar Sightseeing (Private Tour with Car) - Iris Holidays: $111
  • 2 Nights, 3 Days Kerala Backwaters & Beaches Tour: $310
  • 21hrs Houseboat Tour through Alleppeys Serene Canals & Local Life: $167
  • 3 Nights Private Deluxe Tour- Cochin/Munnar/Houseboat/Cochin: $258
  • 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
  • 4 Days - Munnar, Alleppey Houseboat & Kochi sightseeing: $286
  • 4 Days Best of Kerala Tour with Private Houseboat, Sightseeing & Car: $185
  • 4 Days Private Kerala Tour -Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady with 3* Hotel: $193
  • 4 Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi From Cruise terminal: $14
  • 4 Hours Private Village Life Experience in Kochi with Pickup: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pamukkale $10
    Kerala $4.52


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamukkale and Kerala, we can see that Pamukkale is more expensive. And not only is Kerala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pamukkale is in Europe and Kerala is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Pamukkale would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale Expensive? and Is Kerala Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Pamukkale or Kerala?

Kerala has a larger population, and is about 3180 times larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale 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.