Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Bodh Gaya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Bodh Gaya?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesBodh Gaya Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Bodh Gaya $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, 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 Aqaba and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Bodh Gaya $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Bodh Gaya $38
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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.
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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Bodh Gaya $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: Private Transfer to Aqaba through Hotel Pickup: $69
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port Private Transfer – Comfortable & Reliable: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Private Transfer – Hassle-Free Travel: $100
- Wadi Araba Border Private Transfer To Petra: $105
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Wadi rum: $120
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
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 Aqaba or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Bodh Gaya $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $82
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $109
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Half Day Sunset Tour + Dinner & overnight stay in luxury tents: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Bodh Gaya $8.62
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $84
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $99
- 1 Day Camel tour with lunch: $75
- 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 3 Hours Private Stargazing Experience in Wadi Rum: $49
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Bodh Gaya $4.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Bodh Gaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Bodh Gaya?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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.
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.