A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chennai vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chennai or Boracay?

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

Should I visit Chennai or Boracay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Chennai or Boracay?

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.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Chennai?

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 Chennai is $32, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $66. 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 Chennai and Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chennai $15
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chennai $30
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Boracay? 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 Chennai


Hotels in Boracay


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: Chennai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chennai $2.47
    Boracay $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai

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

  • Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
  • Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
  • Chennai Airport (MAA) Private Transfer to Chennai City/Hotels: $22
  • Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
  • Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $30
  • Chennai Private City and Airport Transfer : $29
  • 12-Day Guided Tour to Kochi with Transfers: $1,167
  • Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $108
  • Private Departure Transfer: Mahabalipuram Hotels to Chennai Airport: $50
  • Private Transfer from Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
  • Private Transfer from Boracay Port to Boracay Island Hotel: $59
  • Private Transfer from Boracay Island Hotels Boracay Cruise Port: $59
  • PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $58
  • Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
  • Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $53
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Two-way Shared Transfer from/to Airport to Hotel: $34
  • Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $34
  • Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay and Chennai 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
    Chennai $11
    Boracay $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai

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

  • South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
  • South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Meena: $54
  • Private Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Local: $76
  • Traditional Indian Art, Craft and Cooking Tour: $76
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Chennai in a Local Home with Sundari: $78
  • Private tour to learn Traditional Indian Art, craft & Cooking: $80
  • Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
  • Private Market Tour and South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai: $152
  • Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chennai $2.63
    Boracay $15

Tours and Activities in Chennai

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

  • Agra: Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line & Guided Private 3 Hours Tour: $4.51
  • Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour from Delhi by Car – Fast Entry: $4.51
  • Spiritual Stories of Guided Tour through Holy Sites: $13
  • Explore Chennai City in Nightlights: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
  • Walk and Explore Chennai City: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
  • Exploring Chennai Bustling Markets: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
  • Chennai Heritage & Cultural Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
  • Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $14
  • Night Walking Tour of Chennai: $18
  • Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $19
  • Magical Markets Guided Walking Tour: $19
  • 2 Hour Street Food Walking Tour: $19

Tours and Activities in Boracay

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

  • 2 Hours Boracay Inland Private Tour in E-Trike: $125
  • 2-Hour Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $32
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $8.95
  • Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
  • Boracay Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $59
  • Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
  • Boracay E-trike Land Tour: $23
  • Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $85
  • Boracay Island Hopping Experience: $63
  • Boracay Island Hopping Tour with Hot Kawa Bath Experience: $30
  • Boracay Island Hopping with Lunch+ Atv Mainland Adventure: $57
  • Boracay Island Hopping+ Helmet Diving (Shared Tour): $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chennai $2.92
    Boracay $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Boracay, we can see that Boracay 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 Boracay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boracay 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 Chennai Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chennai or Boracay?

Chennai has a larger population, and is about 1880 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Boracay, 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.