Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chennai or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai or Bodh Gaya? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chennai or Bodh Gaya?
Chennai
Formerly known as Madras from its colonial history, Chennai today is one of India's largest cities and capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India with an extensive stretch of sandy beaches, plenty of dining and shopping, a number of historic temples, monuments, and churches, plus amusement parks and more.
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 Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Bodh Gaya $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, 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 Chennai and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Bodh Gaya $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Chennai 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: Chennai Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.61Bodh Gaya $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
- Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Chennai Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $15
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport : $19
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 Chennai or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Chennai 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 dayChennai $6.40Bodh Gaya $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $37
- Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
- Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
- South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
- Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
- Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in Chennai: $100
- Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
- Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $216
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.77Bodh Gaya $9.82
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- St Thomas Mount Tour Chennai: $85
- Agra Taj Tour from Chennai: $220
- Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $44
- Bazaar Walking tour in George Town: $35
- Bicycle tour in Mahabalipuram with transport from Chennai,lunch & guide: $99
- Birds & Beyond: Chennai to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Day Tour: $135
- British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours: $49
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26
- Chennai Full Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $110
- Chennai Full Day Sightseeing in a Private Car: $66
- Chennai Half Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $88
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
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.08Bodh Gaya $5.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chennai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chennai 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 Chennai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chennai Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Bodh Gaya?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Chennai 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.