Which place is cheaper, Hat Yai or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Hat Yai?
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 Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai?
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.
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $33Hat Yai $16
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Hat Yai is $16. 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 Hat Yai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $16Hat Yai $5.11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $32Hat Yai $10
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Hat Yai
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Hat Yai? 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 Hat Yai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.66Hat Yai $0.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- private van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pabara Pier: $68
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Hat Yai?
Prices for flights to both Hat Yai 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 $11Hat Yai $10
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 Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Hat Yai -
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 Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $30
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.90Hat Yai $2.52
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Hat Yai, we can see that Pondicherry is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Pondicherry would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pondicherry than you might in Hat Yai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pondicherry Expensive? and Is Hat Yai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Hat Yai?
Pondicherry has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Hat Yai, 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.