A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Bodh Gaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Alexandria or Bodh Gaya?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Bodh Gaya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Bodh Gaya?

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

Bodh Gaya

Located in the state of Bihar in the northeast of India, Bodh Gaya is the most respected place and pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Bodh Gaya is believed to be the site where Buddha Shakyamuni achieved enlightenment while meditating under the famous Bodhi tree.

Prince Gautama Siddartha was born in the sixth century, B.C. in what is modern-day Nepal. Siddartha lived a comfortable life of extravagance as he was born the son of King Suddhodana of the Sakya clan, but after witnessing human suffering, Siddartha decided to give up all of his possessions and embarked upon a quest to seek knowledge and the solution to such suffering. It is underneath a Pipal tree near the city of Gaya, that it is believed he began to meditate until he became enlightened. Today, a descendent of the original Bodhi Tree is located in the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in the city of Bodh Gaya.

Weather in Bodhgaya is generally warm throughout the year, with daytime highs in the 90s during summer and nighttime lows in the high 40s during winter. Because Bodhgaya is centered around religious sites, pack light layers and plan to dress modestly. Remember that you'll be expected to take shoes off at all temples, so sandals may be easier to wear and a good time-saver.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Alexandria Prices
    Egypt Prices
    Bodh Gaya Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Alexandria $28
    Bodh Gaya $56

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $28, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $56. 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 Alexandria and Bodh Gaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $10
    Bodh Gaya $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $20
    Bodh Gaya $38
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Bodh Gaya? 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 Alexandria


Hotels in Bodh Gaya


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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $3.76
    Bodh Gaya $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Private Transfer from or to Borg Al Arab Airport: $14
  • Private Transfer from Borg El Arab Airport to Marsa Matrouh: $69
  • Private Transfer from Borg El Arab Airport to El Alamein Marassi: $47
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to El Cairo: $132
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo or vice versa: $134
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt or vice versa: $121
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo or Giza Hotels: $65
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $224
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria Airport (HBE): $42
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo Airport: $49
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria City hotels to Alexandria Port: $42
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya

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

  • 3 Day Private Bodhgaya Sightseeing Tour with Transfer: $120
  • Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
  • Gaya Airport (GAY) Private Transfer to Gaya City/Hotels: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer Gaya to or from Bodhgaya Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Bodh Gaya?

Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Alexandria 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
    Alexandria $14
    Bodh Gaya $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $20
  • Alexandria Food Tour Top Rated: $40
  • Food Tour in Alexandria for Lunch or Dinner in The Best Restaurants: $45
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
  • GEM and Pyramids Tour with Cruise Dinner From Alexandria Port: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $5.24
    Bodh Gaya $8.62

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

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

  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $196
  • 6-Hour Private Day Tour to Rashid from Alexandria: $100
  • 8Days Egypt Tour package UltraLuxury Cairo,Alexandria&cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $130
  • Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $150
  • Alexandria By Night Private Free Walking Tours & Horse Carriage Ride: $68
  • Alexandria City Tour from Cairo Full Day: $121
  • Alexandria Day Tour: $110
  • Alexandria Day Tour – Explore the City's Top Attractions!: $82
  • Alexandria Day Tour Visit the Tob attractions of Alexandria City: $40
  • Alexandria Day Tour from Alexandria Port or Hotels: $101

Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya

For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Taj Mahal & Agra Private Tour from Delhi by Car – Fast Entry: $4.51
  • Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
  • Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $30
  • Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $43
  • Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $48
  • Private Tour of Bodhgaya and Gaya Including Vishnupad Temple: $50
  • Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $52
  • Private Bodhgaya Spiritual Tour with Expert Guide: $55
  • Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
  • Half Day Private Guided Tour in Bodh Gaya & Dungeshwari Caves: $88
  • Private Day Tour to Rajgir and Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $105
  • Guided Tour of Bodhgaya Temples and Buddha Sites: $128

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.42
    Bodh Gaya $4.95


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Bodh Gaya is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Bodh Gaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodh Gaya than you might in Alexandria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Bodh Gaya?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Bodh Gaya, 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.