Which place is cheaper, Ayutthaya or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Ayutthaya?
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 Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya?
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.
Ayutthaya
Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $33Ayutthaya $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Ayutthaya is $62. 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 Ayutthaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $16Ayutthaya $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $32Ayutthaya $42
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Ayutthaya
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Ayutthaya? 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 Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.66Ayutthaya $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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River Ferry Crossing$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ayutthaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ayutthaya:
- Transfer from Bangkok: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Ayutthaya?
Prices for flights to both Ayutthaya 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 $11Ayutthaya $20
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
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$3.82
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Ice Cream$0.82
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Breakfast for 2$3.82
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Breakfast for 2$9.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ayutthaya
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ayutthaya.
- Bangkok: VELA Dinner Cruise Ticket: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Ayutthaya $27
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Temple Entrances (2)$5.46
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Wat Entrance$1.36
Tours and Activities in Ayutthaya
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ayutthaya are as follows:
- AYUTTHAYA : Private Car Rental & Customize Tour with Driver: $49
- Ayutthaya 1-day Private Tour : UNESCO World Heritage Site: $141
- Ayutthaya City and Historical Park Bike Tour: $35
- Ayutthaya’s Heritage Revealed A Day Tour from Bangkok: $632
- Ancient City Temple Tour: $162
- Colors of UNESCO Heritage 6 hour Bicycle Tour: $54
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Day Tour Small Group: $57
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Full Day Private Guided Tour: $350
- From Bangkok: Tour Ayutthaya + Lunch + Spanish guide: $146
- The Incredible Ayutthaya Ancient Temple Tour: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.90Ayutthaya $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Ayutthaya, we can see that Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Ayutthaya?
Pondicherry has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Ayutthaya, 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.