Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Delhi or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi 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: Delhi or Bodh Gaya?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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 India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $45Bodh Gaya $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $45, 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 Delhi and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Bodh Gaya $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Delhi 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: Delhi Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.28Bodh Gaya $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
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Taxi to Airport$1.91
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Subway$0.38
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Uber Cab$0.96
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
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Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Visit to Rail Museum or Dolls Museum with India Gate (private hotel transfers): $29
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Delhi HTL-APT (DEL): $27
- Transfer from New Delhi to Agra by Private car: $60
- Transfer from New Delhi to Agra by Private car: $100
- Transfer Delhi to Agra by AC car with Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Visit: $80
- Tour To Swaminarayan Akshardham Guide & Delhi Transfers: $37
- Taj Mahal Sunrise All Inclusive Tour with Transfers : $7.00
- Stroll through Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk with Private Transfer: $119
- Round Trip Airport Transfers - Delhi Airport to Hotel and back to Delhi Airport: $72
- Round Trip Airport Transfer- From Delhi Airport to Hotel & Back to Delhi Airport: $80
- Qutub Minar Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $15
- Private transfers to/from Indira Gandhi International Airport: $10
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 Airport: $13
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Delhi 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 dayDelhi $12Bodh Gaya $16
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Old Delhi Food Tour Extravaganza!: $30
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $35
- Old Delhi Food Tour: A Night Time Feast: $36
- Evening Food Tour: $40
- Discover Old 4-Hour Evening Walking Tour includes Guide & Dinner: $40
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $45
- Chandni Chowk Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market: $45
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Bodh Gaya $9.82
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All Inclusive: Same day Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi : $50
- Delhi : Private Day Tour Of Tajmahal And Shopping At Agra: $100
- Delhi Agra Jaipur 3 Days Golden Triangle Tour From New Delhi: $40
- Delhi Agra and Jaipur 5 Days Golden Triangle Tour From New Delhi: $220
- Delhi All Inclusive Half day City Tour With Guide: $30
- Same Day Sunrise Taj Mahal Experience By Car : $75
- Explore Taj Mahal and Agra Fort - Private day tour from Delhi - All Inclusive: $98
- Full Day Old And New Delhi City Tour- All Inclusive : $38
- Gatimaan Express train Delhi to Agra Same Day Tour: $222
- Golden Triangle Tour 3 Days: $267
- Jaipur Overnight Tour from New Delhi : $227
- Private City Tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi: $43
Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya
For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
- Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $32
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $34
- Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $39
- Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $53
- Excursion tour of Rajgir & Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $63
- Private guided tour of Bodh Gaya over 2 days : $175
- Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya: $227
- Spiritual, Bodhgaya Tour (01 Night / 02 Days): $335
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.67Bodh Gaya $5.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Delhi and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Delhi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Delhi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Delhi 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 Delhi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Bodh Gaya?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Delhi 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.