Which place is cheaper, Singapore 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 Singapore?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Singapore? 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 Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
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Chennai Prices
India PricesSingapore Prices
Singapore Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $32Singapore $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $32, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $179. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Singapore $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Singapore $202
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Singapore
Looking for a hotel in Chennai or Singapore? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.47Singapore $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
- Chennai Airport (MAA) Private Transfer to Chennai City/Hotels: $22
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport: $30
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $30
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Small Group Full Day Singapore City Tour with Roundtrip Transfers: $278
- Singapore to Tioman island (Mersing jetty) - Private Transfer: $270
- Transfer to Zoo/Night Safari/Bird Paradise/Rainforest Asia: $233
- City Tour, Flyer or Marina deck, with Guide Roundtrip Transfer: $228
- 2 Day Mandai Wildlife Reserve Singapore with Roundtrip Transfer : $225
- Harbourfront Cruise Center, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $215
- Singapore Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels one way Private Transfer: $215
- Singapore Zoo & Night Safari Day ( Tickets & Transfer ) : $201
- Singapore City Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $191
- Singapore Zoo & River Wonder Day Ticket & Transfer : $189
- Singapore Bird Paradise & Zoo Full Day (Ticket & Transfer ) : $181
- Singapore River & Night Safari-COMBO (Shared Transfer): $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $11Singapore $50
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 Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.75
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Sugarcane Juice$1.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
- Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $55
- Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
- Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
- Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
- Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
- Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $74
- Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $74
- Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing: $75
- Eat Snap Katong Walking Food Tour: $76
- Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.63Singapore $34
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
- Private Night Walking Tour Chennai: $12
- Walk and Explore Chennai City: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
- Explore Chennai City in Nightlights: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
- Spiritual Stories of Guided Tour through Holy Sites: $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
- Magical Markets Guided Walking Tour: $19
- Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $19
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for Observation Deck Ticket singapore: $40
- Singapore River Cruise Admission Ticket: $30
- Singapore River Cruise Tour Ticket Pass: $29
- #17or19 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Singapore w' Tour Guide: $159
- 1-way Singapore hotel pickup (Batam private tour guests only): $120
- 2-4 days in Singapore Guided Tour Pass: $131
- 3 Hour Private Sunset Tour in Singapore: $255
- 3 Hour Singaporean Spiritual Temple Walking Tour Experience : $75
- 3h Chinatown, Little India,Arab Street SPANISH Walking Tour: $81
- 3h Historical Civic District & Marina Bay Walking Tour: $68
- 3hrs Singapore Walking Tour: Chinatown-Kampong Glam: $62
- 4 Hours Private Experience by Grab: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $2.92Singapore $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Little India Pub Crawl : $24
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $31
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
- Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
- LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
- LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Singapore, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Singapore?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Singapore. When comparing the sizes of Chennai and Singapore, 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.