Which place is cheaper, Pondicherry or Tamil Nadu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tamil Nadu or Pondicherry?
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.
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 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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTamil Nadu $18Pondicherry $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Tamil Nadu is $18, 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 Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTamil Nadu $8.84Pondicherry $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTamil Nadu $18Pondicherry $32
Compare Hotels in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry
Looking for a hotel in Tamil Nadu 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: Pondicherry Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tamil Nadu $1.57Pondicherry $5.66
Is it cheaper to fly into Tamil Nadu or Pondicherry?
Prices for flights to both Pondicherry 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 $4.93Pondicherry $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.Tamil Nadu $2.54Pondicherry $11
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $48
- Auroville Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $133
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $262
- Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $149
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $15
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $13
- Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
- Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour: $170
- Private Walking Tour in the French Quarter of Pondicherry: $57
- Spiritual Walk Tour Pondicherry: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTamil Nadu $2.88Pondicherry $6.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, we can see that Pondicherry is more expensive. And not only is Tamil Nadu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tamil Nadu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu.
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 Pondicherry Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Tamil Nadu or Pondicherry?
Tamil Nadu has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Pondicherry. When comparing the sizes of Tamil Nadu 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.