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

Should you visit Bodrum or Bodh Gaya?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bodrum and Bodh Gaya can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bodrum or Bodh Gaya?

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

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 Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Bodrum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $92, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $52. 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 Bodrum and Bodh Gaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bodrum $48
    Bodh Gaya $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bodrum $96
    Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Bodrum 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 Bodrum


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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bodrum $24
    Bodh Gaya $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

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

  • İzmir Airport - Kuşadası / İzmir Center : Private Transfer: $24
  • Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Soke (Söke): $126
  • Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Kusadasi: $132
  • Torba Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $66
  • River Rafting Tour with Breakfast, Lunch & Transfer from Bodrum: $86
  • Private Transfer: Bodrum Airport (BJV) to Bodrum: $54
  • Private Transfer | BODRUM - IZMIR Airport: $296
  • Private Transfer from Bodrum Port to Bodrum Milas Airport BJV: $43
  • Private Transfer from Bodrum Port to Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV): $47
  • Private Transfer from Bodrum Milas Airport BJV to Bodrum Port : $43
  • Private Transfer From Kuşadası to Bodrum Airport and Center: $54
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Bodrum Center to Milas-Bodrum Airport: $57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya

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

  • Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Bodh Gaya?

Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Bodrum 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
    Bodrum $24
    Bodh Gaya $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

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

  • Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $44
  • Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $104
  • Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $126
  • Bodrum Market Visit and Cooking Class: $129
  • Bodrum Vineyard Tour with Dinner and Wine Pairing: $129
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $131
  • Bodrum Cooking Class: $175
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $186
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $222
  • Shore Excursions - Istanbul by Night: Turkish Food Tour: $252
  • Private Vineyard Tour with Dinner Under the Stars in Karnas: $292
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $322

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bodrum $31
    Bodh Gaya $9.82

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.

  • 2 Hours Private Sightseeing and Walking Tour in Bodrum: $106
  • A Breathtaking Pamukkale Day Tour from Bodrum: $279
  • All Inclusive Private BODRUM to Ephesus, Mary's House, Lunch Tour: $299
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Virgin Mary's House from Bodrum: $104
  • Boat tour: Bodrum Private Boat Tour for Cruise Customers: $804
  • Bodrum ↔ Gulf of Gökova | Cabin Charter Cruise: $947
  • Bodrum Aquapark Ticket: $38
  • Bodrum Black island Tour: $26
  • Bodrum Buggy Safari Tours: $57
  • Bodrum City Sightseeing Walk: $151
  • Bodrum City Tour: 5-Hour Private Excursion with Lunch: $269
  • Bodrum City Walking Morning Sightseeing Tour: $214

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): $34
  • Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $53
  • Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya: $227
  • Excursion tour of Rajgir & Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $63
  • From Varanasi: Private Same Day Bodhgaya Tour: $144
  • Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $32
  • Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $39
  • Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
  • Private guided tour of Bodh Gaya over 2 days : $175
  • Spiritual, Bodhgaya Tour (01 Night / 02 Days): $336

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bodrum $14
    Bodh Gaya $5.64


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodrum is more expensive. And not only is Bodh Gaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bodrum is in Europe 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 Bodrum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodrum 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 Bodrum Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bodrum or Bodh Gaya?

Bodrum has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum 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.