Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Tamil Nadu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Tamil Nadu and Chennai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Located in southern India, Tamil Nadu is a state best known for the capital city of Chennai which has beautiful beaches and historic colonial landmarks, as well as a significant number of Hindu temples which are prevalent throughout the region.
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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tamil Nadu is $18, 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 Tamil Nadu and Chennai in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tamil Nadu 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.
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Chennai and Tamil Nadu 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.
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamil Nadu and Chennai, we can see that Chennai is more expensive. And not only is Tamil Nadu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tamil Nadu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamil Nadu 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 Chennai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chennai than you might in Tamil Nadu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tamil Nadu Expensive? and Is Chennai Expensive?.
Tamil Nadu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chennai. When comparing the sizes of Tamil Nadu 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.