Which city is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for India Pondicherry vs. Bodh Gaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Bodh Gaya?
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 Bodh Gaya 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 Bodh Gaya?
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $27Bodh Gaya $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $27, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $43. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pondicherry and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $13Bodh Gaya $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $26Bodh Gaya $36
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry 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.
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 Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $4.63Bodh Gaya $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pondicherry
Also for Pondicherry, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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:
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
- 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
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Food Meals for one dayPondicherry $8.98Bodh Gaya $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- South Indian Dinner With A Local Family In Pondicherry: $129
- Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $272
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $9.12Bodh Gaya $8.05
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $255
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville with Lunch: $294
- Cycling Tour along Pondicherry: $28
- Historic Temples Tour in Pondicherry: $46
- Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour: $119
- Pondicherry Sightseeing with French Colony Walk: $87
- Pondicherry city sightseeing by Private vehicle: $41
- Private Custom Tour: Pondicherry Sightseeing with Guide: $78
- Private Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $50
- 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:
- 8 Day Buddha trail Tour- Bodhgaya, Rajgir,Nalanda, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Lumbini: $1,005
- 8 Days Divine Steps of Buddha Tour from Bodhgaya: $790
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $28
- Bodhgaya Rajgir Nalanda Tour: $185
- Bodhgaya Sightseeing With Monuments Entrances: $94
- Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya: $218
- Excursion tour of Rajgir & Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $80
- Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya with Lunch: $45
- Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $5.65Bodh Gaya $4.62
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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Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
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