Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Luxor?
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 Luxor or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor 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: Luxor or Bodh Gaya?
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.
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Luxor Prices
Egypt PricesBodh Gaya Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $31Bodh Gaya $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $31, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $56. 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 Luxor and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $11Bodh Gaya $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $22Bodh Gaya $40
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $5.37Bodh Gaya $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride$0.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- private transfer one way from Luxor to Hurghada: $75
- private Transfer from Marsa alam To Luxor: $63
- private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $85
- luxor to Marsa Alam-or vice ( Private Transfer ): $105
- VIP Luxor Airport Transfer: $29
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $40
- Transfer from luxor to marsa alam: $150
- Transfer from luxor to Aswan passing by Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (Optional): $90
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada with Dendera Temple: $100
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada Optional Stop at Dendera Temple: $90
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $187
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya
Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Day Private Bodhgaya Sightseeing Tour with Transfer: $120
- Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
- Gaya Airport (GAY) Private Transfer to Gaya City/Hotels: $25
- Private Airport Transfer Gaya to or from Bodhgaya Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Luxor 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 dayLuxor $16Bodh Gaya $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $10
- Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $15
- Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner: $30
- Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
- Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House of Luxor: $45
- 3-Hour Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $50
- Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Felucca Sunset & Dinner: $55
- Open-Air Farm Luxor Lunch or Dinner Experience in a Green: $60
- Felucca at Sunset and Dinner at an Egyptian House in Luxor: $60
- Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca : $64
- Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Romantic Nile-View Dinner: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $9.89Bodh Gaya $8.71
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)$0.54
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.60
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Camel Ride for Two$1.20
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (2 nights / 3 days )Nile cruise from Luxor to aswan: $300
- (Private) Half Day Tour Luxor Temple and Karnak Temples: $13
- 1 Day tour from luxor to safaga Snorkling boat trip: $50
- 1-Day Day Tour from Temples of Luxor to Aswan: $179
- 2 Day Luxor Highlights Tour from Safaga to Luxor: $300
- 2 Day Luxor Private Tour East and West Banks: $39
- 2 Day Luxor Tour East and West Bank Highlights: $24
- 2 Day Private Luxor Tour includes Balloon Ride Esna temple&other: $290
- 2 Day Private Tour of Luxor: $290
- 2 Day Trip West Bank & East Bank, Luxor Highlights Tours & Hotel: $210
- 2 Day in Luxor tours: $336
- 2 Days Private Tour Karnak & Luxor Temples, and Luxor West bank: $101
Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya
For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Tour from Delhi by Car – Fast Entry: $4.51
- Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $30
- Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $31
- Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $49
- Private Tour of Bodhgaya and Gaya Including Vishnupad Temple: $50
- Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $52
- Private Bodhgaya Spiritual Tour with Expert Guide: $55
- Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
- Half Day Private Guided Tour in Bodh Gaya & Dungeshwari Caves: $88
- Private Day Tour to Rajgir and Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $105
- Guided Tour of Bodhgaya Temples and Buddha Sites: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.96Bodh Gaya $5.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa and Bodh Gaya is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Bodh Gaya?
Luxor has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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.