A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pondicherry vs. Koh Phi Phi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pondicherry or Koh Phi Phi?

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 Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?

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.

Koh Phi Phi

The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Pondicherry?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pondicherry $16
    Koh Phi Phi $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pondicherry $32
    Koh Phi Phi $80
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Koh Phi Phi? 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.

Hotels in Pondicherry


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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 Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pondicherry $5.66
    Koh Phi Phi $6.89

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $15
  • Longboat Taxi
    $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi

Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $28
  • Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $25
  • One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $52
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pondicherry $11
    Koh Phi Phi $11

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 Koh Phi Phi

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:


  • Crepe
    $1.64
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $9.27
  • Casual Lunch
    $5.73
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.27
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $11
  • Sit Down Dinner
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pondicherry $11
    Koh Phi Phi $45

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental
    $8.18

Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.

  • 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $160
  • Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Early Bird Phi Phi and 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat from Krabi: $97
  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $13
  • Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $107
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Maya Bay Sunset and Plankton Swimming Tour: $69
  • PHI PHI ISLAND - Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don By Phi Phi Local Tour: $53
  • Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
  • Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pondicherry $6.90
    Koh Phi Phi $5.66

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:


  • Mojito Bucket
    $14
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $5.46


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Koh Phi Phi?

Pondicherry has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Koh Phi Phi, 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.