Travel Budget for Pondicherry Visit Pondicherry on a Budget or Travel in Style

Pondicherry, Union Territory of Puducherry, India

How much does it cost to travel to Pondicherry?

You should plan to spend around $34 (₨2,800) per day on your vacation in Pondicherry. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $11 (₨917) on meals
  • $5.71 (₨473) on local transportation
  • $32 (₨2,665) on hotels

A one week trip to Pondicherry for two people costs, on average, $473 (₨39,196). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $34
    2,800
  • One Week Per person
    $237
    19,598
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $473
    39,196
  • One Month Per person
    $1,014
    83,992
  • One Week For a couple
    $473
    39,196
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $946
    78,392
  • One Month For a couple
    $2,028
    167,983
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Pondicherry cost?

A one week trip to Pondicherry usually costs around $237 (₨19,598) for one person and $473 (₨39,196) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Pondicherry on average costs around $473 (₨39,196) for one person and $946 (₨78,392) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Pondicherry will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Pondicherry on average costs around $1,014 (₨83,992) for one person and $2,028 (₨167,983) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Pondicherry has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Pondicherry expensive to visit?

Pondicherry is a very affordable place to visit. Located in India, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Pondicherry in depth.

Within Asia, Pondicherry is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Pondicherry Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Pondicherry?

The average Pondicherry trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Pondicherry travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) 2,665 ($32)
Local Transportation 1 473 ($6)
Food 2 917 ($11)
Entertainment 1 932 ($11)
Tips and Handouts 1 10 - 31 ($0 - 0)
Alcohol 2 288 - 865 ($3 - 10)
Accommodation Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Pondicherry is $16 (₨1,333). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Pondicherry is $32 (₨2,665). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $16
    1,333
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $32
    2,665

Hotel Prices in Pondicherry

Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Pondicherry based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $54. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Pondicherry is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.71 (₨473) per person, per day, on local transportation in Pondicherry.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $5.71
    473


Flights to Pondicherry
How much does it cost to go to Pondicherry? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Pondicherry
The price of renting a car in Pondicherry will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Pondicherry can vary, the average cost of food in Pondicherry is $11 (₨917) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Pondicherry should cost around $4.43 (₨367) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Pondicherry is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $11
    917

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Pondicherry typically cost an average of $11 (₨932) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $11
    932

Recommended Activities


Tips and Handouts Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Pondicherry is $0.25 (₨21) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Pondicherry is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $0.25
    21


Alcohol Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $6.96 (₨577) on alcoholic beverages in Pondicherry per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $6.96
    577


Water Budget in Pondicherry
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $0.69 (₨57) on bottled water in Pondicherry per day. The public water in Pondicherry is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $0.69
    57


Pondicherry On a Budget
Pondicherry Pondicherry
Located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry has a long and interesting history of trade and war as the largest French colony in India. Today the French influence in the city remains, especially in the old quarters. This being said, Pondicherry very much embodies and east-meets-west culture.
Sights
With a history rooted in its colonial beginnings, Pondicherry is a great place to experience old world architecture. Remnants of the past are visible in the French Quarter with colonial villas, tree-lined streets, and an overall sense of all that is French. For more history, visit the Pondicherry Museum which houses a collection of sculptures, handicrafts, and archaeological findings from the Arikamedu Roman settlement as well as items from the French colonial time such as furniture and coins, amongst other things.

The Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple is another common place to visit, built before the 15th century and dedicated to Bhavaneshar Ganapathy-a form of Lord Ganesha, who is known as the remover of obstacles. A beautiful architectural example, the shrine is located about 400 meters from the Bay of Bengal in White Town. Another highly revered religious site is The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, situated on the south boulevard of town-a stunning example of Gothic architecture and stained glass windows. Other notable sights include Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Varadaraja Perumal Temple.
Neighborhoods
Pondicherry's French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter (also known as White Town, Black town, and Indian Town). As the name suggests, this part of the city is heavily under French influence with remnants of its colonial past in the grid-pattern tree-lined avenues, architecture consisting of mustard-yellow villas, chic boutiques, and a general aura that is distinctly French. The seafront is also a popular place for visitors and locals to frequent. Goubert Ave (Beach Rd) is a great place to take a stroll right along the coastline, with the French Quarter located just inland from here. The promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4 meter-high Gandhi Memorial. Auroville, located just north of Pondicherry, is another interesting place to experience. Established as an experimental town in 1968, the goal was to create an international community of peace and unity. Auroville is currently inhabited by individuals from over 40 different nations.

Activities
Beyond the history and architecture mentioned earlier, the beaches of Pondicherry are worth visiting as well. Paradise Beach is a vast shoreline complete with dense palm groves, located about 8 kilometers from the city center. It can be reached by boat from Chunnambar Boat House. Serenity Beach is another treasured shoreline, quieter and more secluded than others in the Bay of Bengal.

Additionally there is the Botanical Garden, featuring six gorgeous fountains, a large aquarium with ornamental fishes, Japanese rock, dancing fountain, and a children's train. Established in 1826, the garden has grown to encompass 22 acres with over 1500 species of plants.

Other activities include city tours, shopping, dining, and experiencing the culture of Pondicherry.
Food and Dining
South Indian cuisine usually consists of (mainly vegetarian) dishes eaten with steamed rice. The traditional way of eating a meal involves being seated on the floor with the food served on a banana leaf, using the fingers of the right hand to eat, no utensils. Cooking of the Tamil Nadu area is famous for using a variety of spices to add flavor to main ingredients like rice, lentils, and legumes. One common dish, Biryani, is a type of fried rice with masala cooked with vegetables or meat. Special varieties include Ambur biryani, served with dhalcha (a sour brinjal curry), and Dindigul biryani which uses a little curd and lemon juice to get a tangy taste. Coffee and tea are the staple beverages. In addition to these South Indian delicacies, there is also some French influence to the cooking in Pondicherry, given its roots as the largest French colony in India. Located on the coast, the city's seafood is also very good.

Transportation
The best way to reach Pondicherry is to travel by road from Chennai, located about 160 kilometers (99 miles) north of the city. The journey takes about three hours along the East Coast Road (ECR), which is very scenic. Another option is to take National Highway 45, also known as Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road. Both routes are toll roads and take about the same time. One can get a bus from CMBT in Koyambedu or from Thiruvanmiyur or Guindy. Taxis are also available from Chennai Airport.

By train, Pondicherry is connected to Chennai by an electric broad gauge railway line through Villupuram.


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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.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.