Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Himachal Pradesh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh 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: Himachal Pradesh or Bodh Gaya?
Himachal Pradesh
With a name that translates to "abode of snow," Himachal Pradesh is a state in north-western India with opportunities for experiencing the Himalaya mountain range. Visitors come to the region to experience the mountain scenery, engage in Tibetan culture, and learn about the region's ancient past.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in India, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours in India, and The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHimachal Pradesh $28Bodh Gaya $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Himachal Pradesh is $28, 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 Himachal Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHimachal Pradesh $18Bodh Gaya $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHimachal Pradesh $36Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Himachal Pradesh and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Himachal Pradesh 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: Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Himachal Pradesh $3.83Bodh Gaya $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Himachal Pradesh
Also for Himachal Pradesh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shimla Thermal Resorts to Delhi Airport DEL -Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
- Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $63
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh City to Chandigarh (IXC) Airport: $37
- From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
- Delhi to Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $55
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Himachal Pradesh or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Himachal Pradesh 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 dayHimachal Pradesh $7.08Bodh Gaya $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sattvic Traditional Cooking Classes, Rishikesh India: $35
- Rishikesh Half Day Street Food Tour: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Himachal Pradesh $4.45Bodh Gaya $9.82
Tours and Activities in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Day The Hipster Chandigarh Experience: $106
- 2 N / 3 D Mahavatar Babaji Cave Tour: $225
- 2-Days Private tour to Shimla: $95
- Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 1n2d: $39
- Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 2n3d: $71
- Adventure trip in Chakrata : $37
- Best of the Chandigarh (Guided Full Day City Tour): $131
- Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $45
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $25
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $25
- Chandigarh Private Full Day Tour : $65
- Chandigarh 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:
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHimachal Pradesh $4.41Bodh Gaya $5.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Himachal Pradesh and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Himachal Pradesh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Himachal Pradesh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Himachal Pradesh Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Himachal Pradesh or Bodh Gaya?
Himachal Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Himachal Pradesh 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.