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

Should you visit Beirut 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 Beirut 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: Beirut or Bodh Gaya?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

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 Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Beirut?

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 Beirut is $2.77, 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 Beirut and Bodh Gaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beirut $1.26
    Bodh Gaya $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beirut $2.52
    Bodh Gaya $40
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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 Beirut


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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beirut $0.44
    Bodh Gaya $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer | Beirut Airport to Your Hotel: $10
  • Paragliding in Lebanon with Hotel Transfer From Beirut: $192
  • Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.99
  • Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $200
  • Airport Departure Transfer From Your Beirut Hotel: $10

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 Beirut or Bodh Gaya?

Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Beirut 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
    Beirut $1.23
    Bodh Gaya $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

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

  • Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
  • Private Lebanese Home Cooking Class in Byblos with a Local Family: $86
  • Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
  • Beirut Street Food Tour | Hummus, Knefeh & Manoushe: $135
  • Beirut Street Food Tour | 4 Neighbourhoods · All Inclusive: $150
  • Private Beirut Street Food Tour with Lunch | Max 6 People: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beirut $0.26
    Bodh Gaya $8.71

Tours and Activities in Beirut

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

  • 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $264
  • 3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour: $295
  • Afternoon Tour | Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar | Small Group: $75
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $55
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included: $55
  • Anjar, Baalbek & Ksara Winery Small-Group Tour | Lunch included: $55
  • Baalbek, Anjar & Ksara Small Group Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $55
  • Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $36
  • Beirut City Tour with Street Food: $90
  • Beirut Civil War Tour Guided Tour of Historic War Sites: $103
  • Beirut Downtown, Corniche and National Museum Tour: $85
  • Beirut Private Fishing Tour Experience: $77

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
    Beirut $0.23
    Bodh Gaya $5.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $75
  • Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar, Ixsir & Batroun Day Trip: $75
  • Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut (Entrance Fee Included): $91
  • Private Baalbek Temples & Ksara Wine Tour | From Beirut: $100
  • Private Bekaa Wine Tour | Saint Thomas, Kefraya & Ksara · Beirut: $100
  • Private Wine Tour | Chateau Musar, Ixsir & Batroun from Beirut: $100
  • Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour | Ksara, Kefraya & Saint Thomas: $100
  • Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour | 3 Wineries from Beirut: $100
  • Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Beirut: $100
  • Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
  • PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
  • Private Cedar Hike & Bekaa Wine Tour | Kefraya & Ksara: $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.

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


Which is Bigger, Beirut or Bodh Gaya?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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.