A Travel Price Comparison for India Pune vs. Kolkata (Calcutta) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pune or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pune or Kolkata (Calcutta), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Pune or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Pune

Located in Maharashtra, Pune is the state's second largest city and cultural capital. Not only is it a hub for museums, temples, beaches, and scenic overlooks, but it also has a thriving nightlife and general atmosphere due to the student population.

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in India, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, The Best Photography Tours in India, and The Best Religious Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Pune?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $51, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Pune and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pune $23
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pune $46
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Pune and Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Pune or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Pune


Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta)


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: Pune Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pune $14
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune

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

  • Private Departure Transfer Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport : $26
  • Pune Airport Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfer from Pune City to Pune (PNQ) Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer from Pune to Shirdi: $42
  • Private Transfer from Pune to Nashik: $44
  • Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $49
  • Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport to Kolkata: $59
  • Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $59
  • Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Pune or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Pune 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
    Pune $18
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune

For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Street Food Tour with Cultural Charms of Pune: $22
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
  • Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $53
  • Traditional Mangalorean or Maharashtrian cooking class in Pune: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).

  • Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
  • Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $42
  • Dinner Cruise on Ganges Kolkata 3Hrs: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pune $17
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $15

Tours and Activities in Pune

For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Pune Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.68
  • Pune Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.84
  • Skip the Line: Meher Retreat Day Picnic Ticket, Near Pune: $12
  • Shaniwar Wada Walking Tour: $13
  • Night Walk Tour Pune: $13
  • Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk): $13
  • Night Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $17
  • Guided Tour to Shaniwar Wada Fort and Peshwas Legacy: $18
  • Pune Walking Tour with a Punekar: $21
  • Private Walking Tour & Food tasting with a Local: $22
  • Maratha History Walking Tour in Pune: $23

Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:

  • 02 Days Guided Private Tour of Kolkata : $225
  • All inclusive full day tour of kolkata: $105
  • Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
  • Calcutta Contrast Tour: $37
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
  • Experience Kolkata in 2 Days like never before - Private Tour: $197
  • Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $120
  • Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
  • Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $153
  • Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Kolkata: $286
  • Gangasagar Pilgrimage - Private Day Tour from Kolkata: $200
  • Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip by Car, Walk & Sunset Cruise Excursion Trip: $111

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pune $15
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Pune

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:

  • Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pune and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Pune is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Pune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pune than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pune Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pune or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Pune. When comparing the sizes of Pune and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.

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