Which place is cheaper, Can Tho or Chennai?
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 Chennai or Can Tho?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Can Tho? 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 Can Tho?
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.
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.
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Chennai Prices
India PricesCan Tho Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $32Can Tho $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $32, while the average daily cost in Can Tho 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 Can Tho in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Can Tho $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Can Tho $52
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Can Tho
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Can Tho? 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: Chennai Hotel Prices and Can Tho Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.47Can Tho $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 12-Day Guided Tour to Kochi with Transfers: $1,167
- Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $234
- 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 Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $108
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $41
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
- Private Transfer from Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport: $30
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $27
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $135
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $123
- Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $116
- Can Tho To Ho Chi Minh Private Car Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $51
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $35
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Can Tho?
Prices for flights to both Can Tho 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
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Food Meals for one dayChennai $11Can Tho $28
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: $30
- South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Meena: $54
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
- 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
- Private Chennai Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Fun Local: $89
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
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Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$4.93
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Coconut$0.27
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Mango$1.02
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Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$6.60
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Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.61
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Casual Lunch (for One)$2.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Can Tho food tour voted by local - Vegan option is available: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Full-Day Experience in Mekong Cycling and Authentic Home Cooking: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.63Can Tho $16
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- British Buildings & the Story of Chennai walking tour with guide: $90
- Chennai to Temple Trail: Srikalahasti & Sri Venkateswara Tour: $103
- Sowcarpet Street Food Walking Tour in Chennai with guide: $45
- 2 Day Royal Enfield Motorcycle tour from Chennai to Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram: $267
- 7-Day Spiritual Tamil Nadu Private Tour from Chennai: $586
- A Private Day tour from Chennai to Gingee & Thiruvannamalai: $96
- Agra Taj Tour from Chennai: $292
- Agra: Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line & Guided Private 3 Hours Tour: $4.51
- Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $134
- Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
- Big Fat Indian Wedding, shopping & bazaar walking tour in Chennai: $60
- Birds & Beyond: Chennai to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Day Tour: $135
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sunset Boat Ride$1.90
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Half Day Floating Market Tour$7.96
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- Private ecotour in floating market-nature reserved: $93
- Victoria Sunset Cruise on Hau River: $35
- 1 day-Tra Su cajuput forest tour pick up from Chau Doc or Can Tho: $155
- Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $37
- Boat tour visit 3 pagodas, Ancient house, see sunset on mekong river: $59
- CASA Authentic Bicycle Tour: $89
- CASA Authentic Mekong Motorbike Tour: $89
- Cai Rang Floating Market - My Tho & Ben Tre - VIP Private Tour: $125
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour & Rural Cycling: $63
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $78
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour with Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve: $92
- Can Tho Countryside Bike Tour with Fruit Garden Visit: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $2.92Can Tho $6.26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
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Beer$3.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Can Tho, we can see that Can Tho 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 Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho 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 Can Tho Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Can Tho?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Can Tho, 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.