Is Chennai expensive to visit?
Chennai is a very affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $29. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a very affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability, comparable to places like Munnar and Bagan.
Chennai
How expensive is Chennai?
For a trip to Chennai, travelers spend on average $29 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Chennai here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Chennai?
On average, a weekend trip to Chennai costs about $88 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $177.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Chennai?
A one week trip to Chennai costs about $206 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $412.
Is it expensive to backpack in Chennai?
Chennai attracts a few backpackers, but traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a small number of hostels found here. The average cost of a dorm bed in a hostel in Chennai is $8 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $5 and the most expensive are more than $10 per night. (See hostel prices in Chennai here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Chennai.
- $10 for a dorm bed at Elements Hostel
- $5 for a dorm bed at Hostel Gandhi
Are hotels expensive in Chennai?
Examining hotel prices in Chennai, we can see that they are moderately priced when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $35. The city is equipped with about 18 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $82. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $30 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $23 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Chennai
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 18 | $82 |
| 4 stars | 21 | $54 |
| 3 stars | 78 | $30 |
| 2 stars | 31 | $23 |
| 1 star | 9 | $14 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Chennai?
In Chennai, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $3 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $10.
- Guided tour of Mahabalipuram for an immersive cultural experience: $45
- Private Peacock Trail Walking Tour in Mylapore: $61
- Mylapore Walking tour by Wonder tours: $29
- French Toast - A Classic Moto Tour To Pondicherry: $155
- Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry trip from Chennai by Wonder tours: $199
- Silk trail to Kanchipuram from Chennai by Wonder tours: $109
- Splendid Chennai: Private Half Day Tour of Chennai: $49
- Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
Is food expensive in Chennai?
In Chennai, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $6 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $10.
- 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $37
- Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
- Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Menna: $54
- South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
- Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
Is transportation expensive in Chennai?
Local transportation in Chennai can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $3 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $7. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Chennai
If you're planning a trip to Chennai, India, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.