Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Pune?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Pune Prices
India PricesChennai Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPune $52Chennai $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $52, 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPune $19Chennai $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPune $38Chennai $28
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 $8.52Chennai $2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
- Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $40
- 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 to Vellore: Comfortable Travel: $156
- Private Transfer from Chennai to Thiruvannamalai: Ultimate Guide: $130
- Private Transfer from Chennai to Pondicherry: Comfortable Travel: $130
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $40
- Private Transfer from Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $108
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Chennai Hotels: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer Chennai Airport MAA to Mahabalipuram: $55
- Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $234
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $44
- 12-Day Guided Tour to Kochi with Transfers: $1,167
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 $21Chennai $9.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $29
- Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ayurvedic or South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with an Author: $40
- Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with Vidhya: $48
- Chennai Market Tour & Cooking Class in a Local Home with Meena: $54
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class near Chennai Airport: $62
- Private Authentic Indian Cooking Demo in Chennai in Tara's Home: $76
- Traditional Indian Art, Craft and Cooking Tour: $76
- Private tour to learn Traditional Indian Art, craft & Cooking: $80
- Neighborhood Market Tour & South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai: $152
- Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pune $15Chennai $2.45
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
- Best of Pune Private City Tour with Lunch and Transport: $120
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour from Pune): $132
- Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $22
- Food walking tour in Pune to stimulate your taste buds: $50
- From 3-Day Guided Tour of Ajanta, Ellora & Aurangabad City: $125
- Full Day Cultural & Heritage Pune City Tour in Private Vehicle: $64
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Pune: $36
- Guided Highlights of Pune Car Tour with a local (4 Hrs Sightseeing in AC Car): $77
- Immersive culture tour of Pune by private car with guide and local lunch: $117
- Immersive walking tour in Pune for cultural immersion with guide: $55
- Khadakwasla Dam, Sinhagad Fort Tour by Car: $125
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- 2 Day Royal Enfield Motorcycle tour from Chennai to Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram: $267
- 6-Day Classical Tamil Nadu Private Tour from Chennai: $250
- 7-Day Spiritual Tamil Nadu Private Tour from Chennai: $586
- A Private Day tour from Chennai to Gingee & Thiruvannamalai: $96
- Agra: Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line & Guided Private 3 Hours Tour: $4.51
- Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $134
- Auto Rickshaw Tour of Mahabalipuram: $82
- Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
- Best of Guided Half Day City Tour with a local: $43
- British Architecture Walk, an immersive walking tour in Chennai: $55
- British Legacies: The Story of Chennai Walking Tour: $90
- CHENNAI FULL DAY TOUR: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPune $13Chennai $2.73
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.