Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Dharamsala?
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 Dharamsala or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala 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: Dharamsala or Bodh Gaya?
Dharamsala
With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.
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 Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Dharamsala Prices
India PricesBodh Gaya Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDharamsala $41Bodh Gaya $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala is $41, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $62. 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 Dharamsala and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $23Bodh Gaya $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $46Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala 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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $5.02Bodh Gaya $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $34
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
- Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer from Gaya Airport to Bodh Gaya Hotel: $20
- Gaya Airport (GAY) Private Transfer to Gaya City/Hotels: $25
- From Varanasi: Bodhgaya Day Trip with Private Transfer: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Dharamsala 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 dayDharamsala $14Bodh Gaya $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dharamsala $5.43Bodh Gaya $9.61
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $85
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $26
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $41
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $41
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $111
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $27
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $66
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14
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
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $34
- Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $34
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Bodhgaya: $40
- Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $53
- Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $54
- BODHGAYA FULL DAY TOUR: $63
- Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
- Half Day Private Guided Tour in Bodh Gaya & Dungeshwari Caves: $88
- Private Tour to Rajgir and Nalanda with Lunch from Bodhgaya: $105
- Same Day Private Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $114
- Private Tour to Sarnath and Varanasi with Lunch From Bodhgaya: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.43Bodh Gaya $5.52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dharamsala Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Bodh Gaya?
Bodh Gaya has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala 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.