Which place is cheaper, Pondicherry or Lahore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lahore or Pondicherry?
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 Lahore and Pondicherry. 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: Lahore or Pondicherry?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
Pondicherry
Located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry has a long and interesting history of trade and war as the largest French colony in India. Today the French influence in the city remains, especially in the old quarters. This being said, Pondicherry very much embodies and east-meets-west culture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLahore $57Pondicherry $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $57, while the average daily cost in Pondicherry is $33. 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 Lahore and Pondicherry in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $37Pondicherry $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $74Pondicherry $32
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Pondicherry
Looking for a hotel in Lahore or Pondicherry? 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: Lahore Hotel Prices and Pondicherry Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.98Pondicherry $5.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Pondicherry?
Prices for flights to both Pondicherry and Lahore 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 dayLahore $14Pondicherry $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Full Day Lahore Private Guided Food Tour: $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Indian Cooking Class in Pondicherry: $28
- French-Creole Cooking Class in Pondicherry with a Local Family: $78
- South Indian Dinner With A Local Family In Pondicherry: $161
- Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $289
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $5.08Pondicherry $11
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $175
- Kartarpur Tour: $150
- Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
- Khewra Salt Mines & Katas Raj Temple One Day Guided Tour: $210
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $48
- Auroville Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $133
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $262
- Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $150
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $15
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $13
- Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
- Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour: $170
- Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
- Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.89Pondicherry $6.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Pondicherry, we can see that Lahore is more expensive. And not only is Pondicherry much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pondicherry would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pondicherry 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 Lahore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lahore than you might in Pondicherry.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lahore Expensive? and Is Pondicherry Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Pondicherry?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pondicherry. When comparing the sizes of Lahore and Pondicherry, 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.