Which place is cheaper, Pondicherry or Srinagar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Srinagar or Pondicherry?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Srinagar or Pondicherry, 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: Srinagar or Pondicherry?
Srinagar
Lying on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is best known for its gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats as well as local traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySrinagar $26Pondicherry $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Srinagar is $26, while the average daily cost in Pondicherry is $33. 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 Srinagar and Pondicherry in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSrinagar $15Pondicherry $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSrinagar $30Pondicherry $32
Compare Hotels in Srinagar and Pondicherry
Looking for a hotel in Srinagar or Pondicherry? 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: Srinagar Hotel Prices and Pondicherry Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Srinagar $2.56Pondicherry $5.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Srinagar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Srinagar:
- Srinagar- transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing: $254
- Srinagar To Leh, Ladakh Taxi (One way Transfer): $246
- Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service: $16
- Srinagar Airport Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Srinagar to Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport: $68
- Private Transfer from Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport to Srinagar: $68
- Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg: $37
- Kashmir: 5-Day Tour with Houseboat Stay and Transfers: $240
- A Private Airport Transfer in Srinagar: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Srinagar or Pondicherry?
Prices for flights to both Pondicherry and Srinagar 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 daySrinagar $5.17Pondicherry $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Srinagar $10Pondicherry $11
Tours and Activities in Srinagar
Here are a few actual costs in Srinagar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5 Days and 4 Nights Private Tour of Kashmir: $285
- 6 Days Kashmir Tour with Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg: $300
- A Private Guided Walking Tour Of Old Srinagar With Lunch: $184
- Enchanting Kashmir: A 6-Day Srinagar Adventure: $420
- From 5-Days Kashmir Tour with Gulmarg and Pahalgam: $1,799
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee & Guide: $154
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee, Guide, Shikara ride & Lunch: $222
- Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar: $71
- Kashmir Houseboat Tour Package: $209
- Magical Kashmir Tour: $715
- Private Custom Tour: Gulmarg local Sightseeing with guide: $74
- Srinagar Splendors: A Private City Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $13
- Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
- Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
- Auroville Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $15
- The Unique Pondicherry City Bike Tour : $18
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- The Best of A Private Sightseeing Tour: $47
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $48
- Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
- Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $133
- Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySrinagar $2.56Pondicherry $6.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Srinagar and Pondicherry, we can see that Pondicherry is more expensive. And not only is Srinagar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Srinagar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Srinagar 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 Pondicherry would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pondicherry than you might in Srinagar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Srinagar Expensive? and Is Pondicherry Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Srinagar or Pondicherry?
Srinagar has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pondicherry. When comparing the sizes of Srinagar and Pondicherry, 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.