Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Lucknow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lucknow or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Lucknow and Bodh Gaya can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Lucknow or Bodh Gaya?
Lucknow
Lucknow, located in the central region of Awadh, is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. With a very rich cultural and historical past, Lucknow has been at the heart of North Indian culture for many centuries. It thrives in areas of art, cuisine, dance, culture, music, 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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLucknow $46Bodh Gaya $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Lucknow is $46, 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 Lucknow and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLucknow $19Bodh Gaya $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLucknow $38Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Lucknow and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Lucknow 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: Lucknow Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lucknow $13Bodh Gaya $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucknow
Also for Lucknow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lucknow to Kanpur: $28
- Private Transfer from Lucknow to Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport to Lucknow: $41
- Lucknow Airport Transfer: $28
- Lucknow 3-Days Private Tour with Hotel and Transfers: $277
- Agra to Lucknow Transfer: $100
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 Lucknow or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Lucknow 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 dayLucknow $17Bodh Gaya $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucknow
For Lucknow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner With A Maharaja In Lucknow: $272
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lucknow $14Bodh Gaya $9.82
Tours and Activities in Lucknow
For Lucknow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Shravasti Tour From Lucknow: $108
- 6-Hour Lucknow Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Pickup: $80
- 8 Hour: Lucknow Full day City Sightseeing Trip: $61
- Ayodhya Tour From Lucknow (Same Day): $284
- Best of Lucknow (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $83
- Colonial Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Custom Private Lucknow Sightseeing Trip with Guided Trip: $61
- Day Tour Of Lucknow: $22
- From Delhi:Ayodhya express tour from Delhi with private car: $347
- From 5 Days Lucknow Ayodhya Prayagraj Varanasi Tour: $342
- From Ayodhya Private Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride: $132
- From Varanasi: One Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi: $144
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 dayLucknow $7.04Bodh Gaya $5.64
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucknow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucknow:
- Pub Crawl Lucknow: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Lucknow and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lucknow Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lucknow or Bodh Gaya?
Lucknow has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Lucknow 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.