Should you visit Phuket or Bangalore?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Bangalore, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Bangalore?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, and The Best Luxury Tours to India.
Which place is cheaper, Bangalore or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Bangalore is $46. 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 Phuket and Bangalore in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Bangalore? 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:
Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
-
Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips:
$77
-
Zipline and ATV Skyline Adventure Phuket Include Pickup Transfer:
$37
-
Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel:
$92
-
Thailand Private Airport Transfer Multi-City by Explera DMC:
$43
-
Speedboat Transfer Phuket to Phi Phi, Tonsai Pier:
$31
-
Speedboat Transfer From Phuket To Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi:
$46
-
Speedboat Racha and Coral Island Transfer and meals from Phuket:
$57
-
Sky Rock Khao Lak Jungle Zipline Adventure with Transfer:
$55
-
Simon Cabaret Show Phuket – Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers:
$59
-
Simon Cabaret Phuket with Round Trip Share Transfer:
$25
-
Similan Islands Snorkeling Day Trip from Phuket with Transfers:
$110
-
Similan Islands One day Tour All Exclusive (Transfer Khao Lak):
$99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore
Also for Bangalore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Bangalore - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel:
$58
-
Bangalore Airport (BLR) Private Transfer to Bangalore City/Hotels:
$32
-
Bangalore to Chennai Private Transfers:
$135
-
Mysore City Private Day Tour with Transfers:
$67
-
Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru - Arrival Private Transfer:
$40
-
Bengaluru City to Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR)- Departure Private Transfer:
$40
-
Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru Arrival Transfer:
$37
-
Bengaluru to Bengaluru Airport (BLR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$37
-
Private Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Bengaluru Airport - 10PM to 6AM:
$52
-
Wild Life Jeep Safari Tour at Bannerghatta with Private Transfer:
$69
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Bangalore?
Prices for flights to both Bangalore and Phuket 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 day
Phuket $41
Bangalore $19
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
-
Authentic Peranakan Cooking Class & Tasting Menu in Phuket:
$29
-
Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes:
$47
-
Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket:
$50
-
Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket:
$51
-
3-Hour Authentic Thai Cooking Experience:
$52
-
Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town:
$52
-
Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht:
$52
-
Simply Thai Cooking Experience:
$55
-
Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa:
$55
-
Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings:
$59
-
Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings:
$59
-
Thai Cooking Class in Phuket:
$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Pop-Up Dinner in Bangalore with Focus on Sustainable Food:
$21
-
Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family:
$44
-
Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience:
$60
-
Private South Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with a Local:
$78
-
Doctor led Bengaluru Food Tour Discover Authentic Local Cuisine:
$91
-
Private Bengaluru Food Walking Tour with Dinner:
$99
-
Private Cooking and Dining Experience in Bengaluru:
$100
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour
$27
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
$75
-
Thai Oil Massage
$19
-
Surfboard Rental
$8.95
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
(Bookable Rows 1–3)Simon Cabaret Show Tickets in Patong Phuket:
$24
-
1 Day Phuket Sightseeing Tour Without Shopping:
$33
-
1 Hour Phuket ATV on Tour + Big Buddha:
$39
-
1-Hour Quad Bike ATV Ride – Ultimate Adventure:
$58
-
12 Islands Overnight Tour:
$199
-
2 Days 1 Night Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour from Phuket:
$229
-
2 Hours ATV Riding in Phuket (Popular Tour):
$98
-
3 Hour Zipline Adventure Park Experience: 65 Platforms:
$104
-
3 Khai Islands Tour- Snorkel, Swim & Relax (Half or Full Day):
$33
-
3-Dive Discover Scuba Diving Tour in Phuket for Beginners:
$153
-
4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition:
$76
-
4 Hours Jet Ski Experience Hopping To 9 Islands in Phuket:
$255
Tours and Activities in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
From Delhi: Sunrise Taj Mahal, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour:
$5.64
-
Bangalore Heritage and Cultural Walking Tour:
$12
-
Food Walk Tour Bangalore:
$21
-
From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Agra Fort, and Baby Taj Tour:
$24
-
Bangalore Heritage Walking Tour through Gavipuram:
$29
-
Bangalore Private Tour:
$35
-
Private Walking Tour into the Oldest Local Market in Bengaluru:
$48
-
Authentic Shopping Experience in Bangalore for Souvenirs & Gifts:
$48
-
The story of Tipu Sultan, an immersive walking tour in Bangalore:
$50
-
From Same Day Taj Mahal Agra Tour with Flights:
$53
-
Pete walk, an immersive walking tour in Bangalore with a guide:
$53
-
Street Food walking tour in Bangalore with a food evangelist:
$55
Alcohol
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)
$5.97
-
Beer
$2.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots:
$17
-
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience:
$40
-
Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery:
$85
-
Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint:
$95
-
Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery:
$107
-
Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket:
$131
-
Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple:
$172
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:
-
Bangalore The original Pub crawl Tour:
$45
-
Hops and Stops Microbrewery Learning Trail in Bengaluru:
$51
-
Pub Crawl & Nightlife Exploration in Bangalore from 8 PM to 1 AM:
$75
-
Bangalore Wine Trails: Grover Zampa Vineyard & Wine Tasting:
$161
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Bangalore, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Bangalore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangalore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangalore 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Bangalore.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Bangalore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Bangalore?
Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Bangalore, 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.
Related Articles for Phuket
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