Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for India Pondicherry vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Dharamsala?
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 Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala?
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.
Dharamsala
With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $34Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $34, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $35. 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 Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $16Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $32Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Dharamsala? 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 Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.67Dharamsala $5.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala 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 $11Dharamsala $8.36
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: $153
- Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $288
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Dharamsala $5.57
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $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
- Golden Private Tour in Pondicherry: $20
- Food Walk Tour Pondicherry: $25
- The Best of A Private Sightseeing Tour: $44
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple tour: $48
- Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local - Full Day Guided Tour: $128
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $81
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $298
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $180
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Dharamshala: Full Day Customizable City Sightseeing Tour: $38
- Guided Andretta Artists' VIllage Tour: $98
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $36
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $36
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.91Dharamsala $5.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Pondicherry
Also in Pondicherry, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Night Life and Local Wine Tasting Tour Pondicherry: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Pondicherry and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Dharamsala?
Pondicherry is bigger, and its population is about 11.6 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the population of Pondicherry vs. Dharamsala, 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Pondicherry
Related Articles for Dharamsala
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.
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