Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Amritsar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pondicherry and Amritsar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Pondicherry or Amritsar?
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.
Amritsar
Amritsar is a holy city of the Sikh religion, named "holy pool of nectar" for the pool around the base of the Golden Temple complex. This complex is the city's main attraction, bringing pilgrims from all over to bathe in the waters of the sacred pool and visit the sacred temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $33Amritsar $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $53. 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 Pondicherry and Amritsar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $16Amritsar $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $32Amritsar $46
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Amritsar
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Amritsar? 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: Pondicherry Hotel Prices and Amritsar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.66Amritsar $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:
- Private Wagah Border Drama and the Golden Temple with Transfer: $151
- From Amritsar Airport Transfer: $28
- Chandigarh to Amritsar Transfer: $71
- Airport/Hotel Transfer to Chandigarh Airport/Hotel: $71
- Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $98
- Amritsar Airport Transfer: $12
- Affordable Amritsar airport transfer: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Amritsar?
Prices for flights to both Amritsar and Pondicherry 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 dayPondicherry $11Amritsar $19
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amritsar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amritsar.
- Amritsar Food Tour: $22
- Flavors of Amritsar (2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour Walk): $24
- Amritsar Food Tour: $31
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Dinner: $45
- Indo-Pak Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border & Dinner: $60
- Evening Tour to Sadda Pind with Dinner: $67
- Beating Retreat Ceremony, Sadda Pind and Dinner: $71
- Private Farm-Fresh Punjabi Cooking Class in Amritsar: $136
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Amritsar $15
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $13
- Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
- Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
- Auroville Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $15
- The Unique Pondicherry City Bike Tour : $18
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- The Best of A Private Sightseeing Tour: $47
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $48
- Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
- Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $133
- Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $150
Tours and Activities in Amritsar
Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5-hour Amritsar city tour with a guide and local transport: $83
- Amritsar 02 days Tour: $216
- Amritsar 1 Day Guided Tour-Golden Temple, Jalliawala Bagh, Wagah: $74
- Amritsar 1 Day Sightseeing with Wagah Border: $36
- Amritsar 1 Day Tour (Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border & Shopping): $39
- Amritsar 1 Night / 2 Days Tour: $67
- Amritsar City Tour: $41
- Amritsar City Tour ( EXCLUDING WAGAH BORDER) : $55
- Amritsar City Tour ( Including Wagah Border Ceremony): $60
- Amritsar City Tour with Wagah Border and Sadda Pind Village: $101
- Amritsar Full Day Private Tour: $60
- Amritsar Full Day Tour (Golden Temple with Wagah Border): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.90Amritsar $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Amritsar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Amritsar:
- Pub Crawl Amritsar: $39
- Pub Crawl Amritsar (3 hours pub hopping tour): $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar 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 Amritsar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amritsar 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 Pondicherry Expensive? and Is Amritsar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Amritsar?
Amritsar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pondicherry. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Amritsar, 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.