Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Pune?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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.
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Pune Prices
India PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPune $52Kolkata (Calcutta) $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $52, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $42. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPune $19Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPune $38Kolkata (Calcutta) $30
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pune $8.43Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Pune to your Accommodation in Mumbai: $22
- Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $40
- Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
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: $134
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $63
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $32
- Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $43
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $74
- Airport Taxi: Round Trip Transfer Between Kolkata & Kolkata Airport CCU: $43
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
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Food Meals for one dayPune $21Kolkata (Calcutta) $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $39
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $39
- Alleyway Food Tour: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pune $15Kolkata (Calcutta) $13
Tours and Activities in Pune
For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pune Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.50
- Skip the Line: Meher Retreat Day Picnic Ticket, Near Pune: $9.53
- Night Walk Tour Pune: $12
- Shaniwar Wada Walking Tour: $12
- Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk): $12
- Pune Walking Tour with a Punekar: $21
- Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $22
- Heritage/Divine Half Day Tour with Snacks (AC Car Tour): $32
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Pune: $36
- Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour: $36
- Pune Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
- Pune Food & Snack Tasting Walking Tour (Non - Vegetarian): $48
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
- Calcutta Contrast Tour: $43
- Capturing the City of Joy; Full Day Kolkata Street Photography Tour: $85
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $35
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $38
- Day Tour Of Kolkata: $24
- Explore Kolkata: Private 1-Day and 2-Day Tour Options: $93
- Festivals of Calcutta walking Tour : Durga Puja/ Diwali Kali Puja: $86
- Flower Market Colors and Ganges Ghat Experience: $30
- Full Day Kolkata City Tour: $110
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Full-Day Kolkata Sightseeing Private Tour with Tour Guide: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPune $13Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.25
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.
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.