Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Varanasi?
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 Varanasi or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Bodh Gaya can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Varanasi or Bodh Gaya?
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
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 Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesBodh Gaya Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $35Bodh Gaya $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $35, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $62. 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 Varanasi and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Bodh Gaya $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi 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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.84Bodh Gaya $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.94
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Rickshaw Ride$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $58
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $13
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $44
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya
Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Gaya Airport to Bodh Gaya Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13
- Gaya Airport (GAY) Private Transfer to Gaya City/Hotels: $25
- From Varanasi: Bodhgaya Day Trip with Private Transfer: $104
- Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Varanasi 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 dayVaranasi $12Bodh Gaya $27
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$4.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $15
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $17
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $17
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu : $30
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $32
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Yoga, Ayurveda, and Cooking Class with Boat Ride: $42
- Cooking Class with Sona: $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Bodh Gaya $9.61
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.82
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi: $87
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 11 Days Spiritual Buddhist Circuit Tour: $1,336
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $48
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days & 1 Night Exclusive Tour Package of Varanasi: $224
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Spiritual Varanasi Tour With Transport and Guide: $150
- 2 Night 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi with Cruise Ride: $256
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $107
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $180
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 Tour from Varanasi: $209
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $34
- Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
- Bodhgaya Temple Town Tour 3D/2N: $256
- Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $53
- Exclusive Guided Tour of Bodh Gaya: $227
- Exclusive, Historical & Spiritual Bodhgaya Overnight Tour: $171
- Footprints Of Buddha, Bodhgaya Overnight Tour (02 Days): $229
- From Varanasi: Bodhgaya 2-Day Tour with Accommodation: $263
- From Varanasi: Bodhgaya 2-Day Tour with Accommodation: $200
- From Varanasi: Private Same Day Bodhgaya Tour: $139
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Bodhgaya: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.68Bodh Gaya $5.52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Bodh Gaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodh Gaya than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Bodh Gaya?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi 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.