A Travel Price Comparison for India Pune vs. Chennai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Pune?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $51, while the average daily cost in Chennai is $30. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pune $23
    Chennai $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pune $46
    Chennai $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.

Hotels in Pune


Hotels in Chennai


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pune $14
    Chennai $2.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune

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

  • Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $68
  • Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $53
  • Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $51
  • Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer: $51
  • Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
  • Private Transfer from Pune to Nashik: $44
  • Private Pune Airport - Pune City Round-Trip Transfer: $44
  • Private Transfer from Pune to Shirdi: $42
  • Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $38
  • Private Transfer from Pune City to Pune (PNQ) Airport: $38
  • Pune Airport Transfer: $30
  • Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport: $28

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
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Chennai Hotels: $34
  • 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
  • Departure Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai MAA Airport by car: $24
  • Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
  • Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pune $18
    Chennai $6.42

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: $22
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
  • 2 Dishes Thai Cooking Class + Market tour: $47
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $53
  • Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $55
  • Organic Thai cooking class: $70
  • Traditional Mangalorean or Maharashtrian cooking class in Pune: $75
  • Market Visit and Cooking Class in Pune: $373

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 Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
  • Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $76
  • Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in Chennai: $100
  • Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
  • Private South Indian Cooking Class and Market Visit in Chennai: $152
  • Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $220

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pune $17
    Chennai $2.78

Tours and Activities in Pune

For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Overnight Tour from Pune With Flights: $500
  • 2 day trip to Agra from Pune with air tickets: $970
  • 2 day trip to Agra from Pune without air tickets: $526
  • 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Pune with Both side Commercial Flights: $564
  • 3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Pune with one-way Commercial Flight: $632
  • 3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Pune with one-way Commercial Flight: $636
  • 4-Hour Tour: Pune University Complex Cycling Private Tour: $139
  • 4-Hour Tour: Small-Group Culinary Walking Tour in Pune: $99
  • Agra Taj Tour from Pune: $220
  • Best of Pune Private City Tour with Lunch and Transport.: $80
  • Best of Pune Sightseeing with Food Tasting Tour by Private Car: $74
  • Cricket Experience in Pune: $153

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • Chennai to Temple Trail: Srikalahasti & Sri Venkateswara Tour: $89
  • Romantic tour in Chennai: $438
  • St Thomas Mount Tour Chennai: $85
  • The best of Chennai walking tour: $438
  • 15 days culture tour of South India in private car & flight with guide & hotels: $2,613
  • 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight: $427
  • 2 day trip to Agra from Chennai with air tickets: $951
  • 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra from Chennai with Both Side Commercial Flights: $681
  • 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra from Chennai with Both side Commercial Flights: $678
  • 3 days tour of temples of Planets & Elements from Chennai by private car: $587
  • 3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Chennai with one-way Commercial Flight: $588
  • 7-Day Tamilnadu Temple Private Guided Tour from Chennai : $424

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pune $15
    Chennai $3.09

Sample the Local Flavors in Pune

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:

  • Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $24
  • Pune Pub Crawl: $25
  • Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $38


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.

Which is Bigger, Pune or Chennai?

Chennai is bigger, and its population is about 47% larger than the population of Pune. When comparing the population of Pune vs. 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 and the activities 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.
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Pune vs. Chennai Travel Comparison

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