Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Kanazawa?
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 Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa?
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.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $33Kanazawa $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $103. 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 Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $16Kanazawa $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $32Kanazawa $128
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Kanazawa? 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 Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.66Kanazawa $9.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanazawa
Also for Kanazawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Noto Airport to/from Kanazawa City Private Transfer: $308
- Kanazawa City to/from Wakura City Private transfer: $247
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa 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 $11Kanazawa $32
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sneaking into a Cooking Class for Japanese: $57
- Private Japanese Cooking Classes in Kanazawa: $76
- Private Japanese Cooking Classes in Kanazawa: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Kanazawa $9.74
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $48
- Auroville Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $133
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $262
- Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $150
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $15
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $13
- Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
- Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour: $170
- Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
- Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- “Be a Local” Kanazawa Izakaya Hop Tour: $78
- 1 Day Tour from Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen: $223
- 1-Day Shirakawago & Takayama Tour (Round Trip from Kanazawa): $165
- 4 Hour Unique Kanazawa Cherry Blossom Sakura Private Experience: $218
- Afternoon Round Trip Tour from Kanazawa: $87
- E-Bike Cycling with Guided Tour of KANAZAWA Main & KENROKUEN: $82
- E-Bike Cycling with Guided Tour of Kanazawa Main and Ninja Temple: $78
- Full-Day Tour from Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha: $148
- Guided Night Tour to Feel the Samurai Culture in Kanazawa: $56
- Hidden Gems Of Private & Personalized Walking Experience: $102
- Kanazawa ⇒ Takayama (one way) Including Shirakawago (Private Tour): $266
- Kanazawa Custom Full Day Tour: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.90Kanazawa $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Kanazawa?
Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pondicherry. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Kanazawa, 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.