Should you visit Pondicherry or Bodh Gaya?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Pondicherry and Bodh Gaya can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $29, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $45. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Pondicherry and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $28 for a double occupancy room in Pondicherry If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Bodh Gaya can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $19, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $38.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Pondicherry than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $4.95 on transportation in Pondicherry on average per day.
Bodh Gaya's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $20 per person, per day on transportation in Bodh Gaya.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pondicherry
Also for Pondicherry, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Pondicherry Village visit - Palm Wine (Toddy) Trail with Transfers:
$46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya
Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport:
$13
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Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer:
$15
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya 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
On average, meal and food prices in Pondicherry cost around $9.59 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $3.84.
Bodh Gaya food costs typically run travelers around $14 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Pondicherry $9.59
Bodh Gaya $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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South Indian Dinner With A Local Family In Pondicherry:
$129
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Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner):
$272
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Pondicherry, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $9.74 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Bodh Gaya can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $8.59 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville:
$255
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Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville with Lunch:
$294
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Cycling Tour along Pondicherry:
$28
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Historic Temples Tour in Pondicherry:
$46
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Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour:
$119
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Pondicherry Sightseeing with French Colony Walk:
$87
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Pondicherry city sightseeing by Private vehicle:
$41
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Private Custom Tour: Pondicherry Sightseeing with Guide:
$78
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Private Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville:
$50
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Puducherry City Tour (Pickup from Hotel):
$80
Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya
For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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8 Day Buddha trail Tour- Bodhgaya, Rajgir,Nalanda, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Lumbini:
$1,005
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8 Days Divine Steps of Buddha Tour from Bodhgaya:
$790
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Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup):
$28
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Bodhgaya Rajgir Nalanda Tour:
$185
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Bodhgaya Sightseeing With Monuments Entrances:
$94
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Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya:
$218
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Excursion tour of Rajgir & Nalanda from Bodhgaya:
$80
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Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya with Lunch:
$45
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Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya:
$25
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Pondicherry spend on average $6.03 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Bodh Gaya spend on average $4.93 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya 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 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 Pondicherry.
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