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

Should you visit Amman or Bodh Gaya?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Bodh Gaya. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Amman or Bodh Gaya?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

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 Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Amman?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, 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 Amman and Bodh Gaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    Bodh Gaya $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    Bodh Gaya $40
Compare Hotels in Amman and Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Amman 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 Amman


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: Amman Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    Bodh Gaya $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

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

  • Stress-Free Airport Transfers: Queen Alia to Anywhere in Jordan: $26
  • Reliable Door-to-Door Private Transfer Amman ⇆ Dead Sea ⇆ Airport: $40
  • Queen Alia International Airport Transfers To Amman, Petra.: $235
  • Queen Alia Airport Transfers From / To Amman, Petra, Dead Sea.: $45
  • Queen Alia Airport Transfer Pick-Up and Drop-Off Service: $50
  • Private Transfer: From Amman City to Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Wadi Rum: $133
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Aqaba Airport: $153
  • Private Transfer from Madaba Hotel to Amman Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer from Amman to the Dead Sea: $48
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Dead sea: $95
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Araba Border: $153

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Bodh Gaya?

Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Amman 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
    Amman $58
    Bodh Gaya $24
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Amman by Night Tour with Local Dinner: $35
  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Private 2 Hour Cooking Class with the Locals in Amman: $50
  • Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
  • The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Amman: $100
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $119
  • Half Day Cooking Class Experience with Amman Panoramic Tour: $127
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    Bodh Gaya $8.71

Tours and Activities in Amman

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

  • 1-Night Private Overnight Madaba Independent Tour from Amman: $170
  • 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $100
  • 2 Day Group Tour from Amman to Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead Sea: $250
  • 2 Day Madaba Mount Nebo Mujib Kerak Dana Shobak and Petra Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Shobak Castle and Kerak Castle Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $185
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour All Inclusive: $195

Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya

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

  • Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $30
  • Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
  • Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $52
  • Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya: $227
  • Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $31
  • Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $49
  • Guided Tour of Bodhgaya Temples and Buddha Sites: $130
  • Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
  • Half Day Private Guided Tour in Bodh Gaya & Dungeshwari Caves: $88
  • Private Bodhgaya Spiritual Tour with Expert Guide: $55
  • Private Day Tour to Rajgir and Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $105
  • Private Tour of Bodhgaya and Gaya Including Vishnupad Temple: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    Bodh Gaya $5.00


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Bodh Gaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East 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 Bodh Gaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bodh Gaya 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman than you might in Bodh Gaya.

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


Which is Bigger, Amman or Bodh Gaya?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Amman 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.

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