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

Should you visit Pune or Kerala?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pune or Kerala, 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 Kerala?

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.

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 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.


Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Pune?

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 Pune is $61, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $32. 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 Kerala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pune $21
    Kerala $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pune $42
    Kerala $24
Compare Hotels in Pune and Kerala

Looking for a hotel in Pune 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 Pune


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: Pune Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pune $13
    Kerala $4.72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune

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

  • Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport: $28
  • Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $41
  • Pune Airport Transfer: $30
  • Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer: $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:

  • Trivandrum Airport Transfer to Trivandrum Hotels: $30
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Munnar: $105
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Kochi Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Fort Kochi/City Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Cochin Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $45
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum to Alleppey: Travel Guide: $191
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum City to Trivandrum (TRV) Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $38
  • Private Transfer from Kovalam to Alleppey: Hassle-Free Journey: $108
  • Private Transfer from Kochi City to Kochi (COK) Airport: $46
  • Private Transfer from Kochi (COK) Airport to Kochi City: $46
  • Private Transfer from Cochin to Munnar Hotel: Hassle-Free Ride: $118

Is it cheaper to fly into Pune or Kerala?

Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 $29
    Kerala $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune

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

  • Pune:Food Walking Tour with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Option: $20
  • Food Walking Tour with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Options: $21
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Cultural Charms of Pune: $24
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $31
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $47
  • Traditional Maharashtrian Breakfast Cooking Class: $51
  • Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $61
  • Traditional Mangalorean or Maharashtrian cooking class in Pune: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala

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

  • Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
  • Private candle light dinner: $21
  • Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $21
  • WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
  • Biryani Cooking class with Chef firoz: $23
  • Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $23
  • Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
  • Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $37
  • Traditional Kerala Cooking Class in a Local Home in Kochi: $76
  • Private Authentic Kerala Cooking Class in a Local Home: $79
  • Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
  • Kathakali Classical Dance Performance with Dinner: $124

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pune $16
    Kerala $9.25

Tours and Activities in Pune

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

  • Guided Tour to Shaniwar Wada & Peshwas legacy with Entrance: $9.29
  • Skip the Line: Meher Retreat Day Picnic Ticket, Near Pune: $10
  • Shaniwar Wada Walking Tour: $13
  • Night Walk Tour Pune: $13
  • Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk): $13
  • Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $14
  • Old City & Camp Cultural Walking Tour with Local Snack: $17
  • Old City Cultural Walking Tour with Local Snacks: $19
  • Night Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $19
  • Pune Walking Tour with a Punekar: $21
  • Sacred Sites Walking Tour of Old City with Snacks: $23
  • Private Walking Tour & Food tasting with a Local: $24

Tours and Activities in Kerala

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

  • Exclusive Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour Including Pickup from Cruise Ships: $14
  • Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $14
  • Munnar Tea Trail Tour , Tea factory visit & Tea Tasting: $17
  • Sunrise Tour in Top Station, Munnar ( By Munnar Info): $62
  • Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking): $58
  • "Day Trip to Varkala from Trivandrum (Guided Full Day City Tour)": $139
  • 05 Days Kerala Tour: $28
  • 1 Day Activity Adventure Trekking Kerala: $111
  • 12 Hours Private Munnar Tour from Kochi: $127
  • 2 Days in Cochin (Kochi) Private Tour: $250
  • 2 Nights Misty Munnar Sightseeing (Private Tour with Car) - Iris Holidays: $119
  • 2 Nights, 3 Days Kerala Backwaters & Beaches Tour: $313

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pune $14
    Kerala $4.89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pune and Kerala, we can see that Pune is more expensive. And not only is Kerala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Kerala.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pune Expensive? and Is Kerala Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Pune or Kerala?

Kerala has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pune. When comparing the sizes of Pune 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.