Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Chennai

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dormitory beds in backpacker hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms

Food & Dining

$3-8 per day

Street food stalls, local South Indian breakfast joints, small family-run restaurants, occasional self-catering

Transportation

$2-6 per day

Public buses, suburban trains, metro, auto-rickshaws for short distances, walking

Activities

$2-10 per day

Free temple visits, beach walks, government museums, occasional paid cultural sites

Eat at local South Indian restaurants instead of hotel dining rooms - typically 60-80% cheaper with authentic flavors

Use public transportation like buses and metro instead of taxis - saves 70-85% on daily transport costs

Visit temples and beaches which are mostly free instead of paid attractions - can reduce activity costs by 50-70%

Stay in areas like T. Nagar or Mylapore rather than beach-front properties - accommodation costs typically 40-60% lower

Shop at local markets like Pondy Bazaar instead of malls - prices generally 30-50% lower for similar items

Take suburban trains for day trips instead of private cars - usually 80-90% cheaper for longer distances

Eat your main meal at lunch when many restaurants offer thali sets - typically 20-40% cheaper than dinner portions

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using excellent public transport - can triple your daily transportation costs

Eating only in tourist areas near Marina Beach - restaurants typically charge 100-200% markup compared to local neighborhoods

Booking accommodation during festival seasons without advance planning - prices can surge 200-400% during Diwali and other major festivals