A Travel Price Comparison for India Munnar vs. Bodh Gaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Munnar 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 Munnar and Bodh Gaya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Munnar or Bodh Gaya?

Munnar

The name Munnar brings the picture of vast tea estates in front of our eyes. The hilly region is full of tea plantations which spread across acres and acres. The misty valleys in between add beauty to the greenery along with clouds. With the soul-stirring surrounding and panoramic charm of nature, Munnar is enriched with an opulent floral beauty. The green tea meadows make it even more vibrant. If you want to sleep in the lap of nature for some time amid the utmost serenity, no other place in Kerala can be better than Munnar. So, unleash yourself here and get the most of it.

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 2-Week Tours in India, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.


Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Munnar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Munnar is $29, 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 Munnar and Bodh Gaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Munnar $13
    Bodh Gaya $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Munnar $26
    Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Munnar and Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Munnar 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.

Hotels in Munnar


Hotels in Bodh Gaya


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: Munnar Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Munnar $5.09
    Bodh Gaya $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munnar

Also for Munnar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kochi to Munnar Transfer: $90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya

Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Munnar or Bodh Gaya?

Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Munnar 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 day
    Munnar $9.86
    Bodh Gaya $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munnar

For Munnar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Munnar $12
    Bodh Gaya $9.83

Tours and Activities in Munnar

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Munnar.

  • Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $15
  • Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking): $61
  • Chettinad Crafts And Culture Tour - From Madurai: $214
  • Chinnar Wild-life Visiting Tour (Eravikulam National Park): $48
  • Chinnar wild valley experience day tour ( By Munnar Info): $16
  • Full Day Tour Of Munnar: $218
  • Full Day Tour Of Munnar With Lunch: $268
  • Full Day Trekking Tour In Munnar: $185
  • Full Day Trekking Tour In Munnar With Refreshments: $219
  • Half Day Sunrise Tour on Top Station, Munnar ( By Munnar Info): $75
  • Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
  • Kochi to Thattekkad/ Kallarkutty/ Munnar Tour (One Way Trip): $126

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Munnar $6.10
    Bodh Gaya $5.64


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munnar and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Munnar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Munnar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munnar 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 Munnar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Munnar Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Munnar or Bodh Gaya?

Munnar has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Munnar 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.

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