Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Pondicherry?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pondicherry or Sapa?
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 Sapa 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 Sapa?
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.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $33Sapa $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $33, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $36. 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 Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $16Sapa $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $32Sapa $24
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Sapa? 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 Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.66Sapa $9.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.20
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa 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 $11Sapa $16
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 Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.72
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.20
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Coffee (for Two)$2.40
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.96
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Pho Soup$0.60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Sapa $6.13
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 Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.60
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.80
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Walking Stick$0.20
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.90Sapa $8.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$1.00
When comparing the travel costs between Pondicherry and Sapa, we can see that Sapa 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pondicherry Expensive? and Is Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Sapa?
Pondicherry has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Sapa, 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.