Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Pune?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pune or Chennai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pune or Chennai, 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: Pune or Chennai?
Pune
Located in Maharashtra, Pune is the state's second largest city and cultural capital. Not only is it a hub for museums, temples, beaches, and scenic overlooks, but it also has a thriving nightlife and general atmosphere due to the student population.
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 Cultural Tours in India, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, The Best Photography Tours in India, and The Best Religious Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPune $51Chennai $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $51, 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 Pune and Chennai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPune $23Chennai $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPune $46Chennai $30
Compare Hotels in Pune and Chennai
Looking for a hotel in Pune 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: Pune Hotel Prices and Chennai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pune $13Chennai $2.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $68
- Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
- Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer from Pune to Nashik: $44
- Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $37
- Pune Airport Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
- Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Pune or Chennai?
Prices for flights to both Chennai and Pune 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 dayPune $18Chennai $6.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Street Food Tour with Cultural Charms of Pune: $21
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $32
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
- Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $53
- Organic Thai cooking class: $67
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 Near the Chennai airport: $62
- Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
- Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in Chennai: $100
- Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
- Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $216
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pune $17Chennai $2.77
Tours and Activities in Pune
For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Tour: Pune University Complex Cycling Private Tour: $139
- Agra Taj Tour from Pune: $220
- Airport pickup-drop, Mumbai sightseeing and outstation: $40
- All-in Phi Phi, Maiton, MayaBay, Khai, Bamboo islands Tour : $58
- Best of Pune Sightseeing with Food Tasting Tour by Private Car: $88
- Cultural Walking Tour of Pune with Local Snacks: $23
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour from Pune): $149
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Tour): $143
- Day Trip to Pune Curated Private Tour Experience from Mumbai: $159
- Discovering A Half-Day Guided Tour of Best Sights: $46
- Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $17
- Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $25
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
- 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: $66
- Chennai Half Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPune $15Chennai $3.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Pune
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $37
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pune and Chennai, we can see that Pune 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 Pune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pune 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 Pune Expensive? and Is Chennai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pune or Chennai?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Pune. When comparing the sizes of Pune 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.