Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Tamil Nadu?
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 Tamil Nadu or Bodh Gaya?
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 Tamil Nadu and Bodh Gaya can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tamil Nadu or Bodh Gaya?
Tamil Nadu
Located in southern India, Tamil Nadu is a state best known for the capital city of Chennai which has beautiful beaches and historic colonial landmarks, as well as a significant number of Hindu temples which are prevalent throughout the region.
Bodh Gaya
Located in the state of Bihar in the northeast of India, Bodh Gaya is the most respected place and pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Bodh Gaya is believed to be the site where Buddha Shakyamuni achieved enlightenment while meditating under the famous Bodhi tree.
Prince Gautama Siddartha was born in the sixth century, B.C. in what is modern-day Nepal. Siddartha lived a comfortable life of extravagance as he was born the son of King Suddhodana of the Sakya clan, but after witnessing human suffering, Siddartha decided to give up all of his possessions and embarked upon a quest to seek knowledge and the solution to such suffering. It is underneath a Pipal tree near the city of Gaya, that it is believed he began to meditate until he became enlightened. Today, a descendent of the original Bodhi Tree is located in the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in the city of Bodh Gaya.
Weather in Bodhgaya is generally warm throughout the year, with daytime highs in the 90s during summer and nighttime lows in the high 40s during winter. Because Bodhgaya is centered around religious sites, pack light layers and plan to dress modestly. Remember that you'll be expected to take shoes off at all temples, so sandals may be easier to wear and a good time-saver.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi.
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Tamil Nadu Prices
India PricesBodh Gaya Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTamil Nadu $325Bodh Gaya $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Tamil Nadu is $325, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $56. 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 Tamil Nadu and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTamil Nadu $219Bodh Gaya $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTamil Nadu $438Bodh Gaya $40
Compare Hotels in Tamil Nadu and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Tamil Nadu or Bodh Gaya? 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: Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tamil Nadu $36Bodh Gaya $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya
Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13
- Private Airport Transfer Gaya to or from Bodhgaya Hotel: $25
- Gaya: Create Your Own Itinerary - Private Tour & Transfer: $51
- Gaya Airport (GAY) Private Transfer to Gaya City/Hotels: $25
- From Varanasi: Bodhgaya Day Trip with Private Transfer: $106
- Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
- 3 Day Private Bodhgaya Sightseeing Tour with Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Tamil Nadu or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Tamil Nadu 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 dayTamil Nadu $78Bodh Gaya $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tamil Nadu $20Bodh Gaya $8.65
Tours and Activities in Tamil Nadu
For Tamil Nadu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kaluveli Wetlands Birdwatching Tour with Naturalist: $34
Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya
For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Bodhgaya Buddhist Tour: $249
- 2 Days Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $179
- BODHGAYA FULL DAY TOUR: $56
- Multilingual Private Day Tour of Temple & Buddha Sites: $25
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $43
- Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
- Bodhgaya Temple Town Tour 3D/2N: $228
- Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $52
- Bodhgaya: Buddhist Pilgrimage Temple & Monastery Day Tour: $88
- Bodhgaya: Full-Day Art and Culture Tour with Lunch: $747
- Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya: $227
- Exclusive, Historical & Spiritual Bodhgaya Overnight Tour: $153
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTamil Nadu $17Bodh Gaya $4.97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamil Nadu and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Tamil Nadu is more expensive. And not only is Bodh Gaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bodh Gaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bodh Gaya 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 Tamil Nadu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamil Nadu than you might in Bodh Gaya.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tamil Nadu Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Tamil Nadu or Bodh Gaya?
Tamil Nadu has a larger population, and is about 1820 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Tamil Nadu and Bodh Gaya, 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.