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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Pondicherry?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Pondicherry can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Pondicherry?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.


Which place is cheaper, Pondicherry or Sukhothai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Sukhothai Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Pondicherry Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sukhothai $78
    Pondicherry $36

The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $78, while the average daily cost in Pondicherry 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 Sukhothai and Pondicherry in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sukhothai $25
    Pondicherry $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sukhothai $50
    Pondicherry $28
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Pondicherry

Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai 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.

Hotels in Sukhothai


Hotels in Pondicherry


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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices and Pondicherry Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sukhothai $18
    Pondicherry $4.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pondicherry

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

  • Private Transfer: Pondicherry Hotels to Chennai Airport (MAA): $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Pondicherry?

Prices for flights to both Pondicherry and Sukhothai 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
    Sukhothai $35
    Pondicherry $17

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: $99
  • South Indian Dinner With A Local Family In Pondicherry: $141
  • Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $268

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sukhothai $36
    Pondicherry $9.77

Tours and Activities in Pondicherry

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

  • Arikamedu Tour from Pondicherry to an Ancient Indo-Roman Port: $95
  • Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $116
  • Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $231
  • Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville with Lunch: $280
  • Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $131
  • Experience Hands on Pottery Workshop: $20
  • From Pondicherry to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram Heritage Tour: $140
  • From Day Tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram: $125
  • Full Day Guided Tour of Pondicherry with lunch and hotel pickup: $115
  • Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
  • Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry: $13
  • Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sukhothai $14
    Pondicherry $6.05


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


Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Pondicherry?

Pondicherry has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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.

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