Travel Budget for Bodh Gaya Visit Bodh Gaya on a Budget or Travel in Style

Bodh Gaya, State of Bihar, India

Bodh Gaya is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Bodh Gaya?

You should plan to spend around $63 (₨5,301) per day on your vacation in Bodh Gaya. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $27 (₨2,274) on meals
  • $23 (₨1,929) on local transportation
  • $44 (₨3,714) on hotels

A one week trip to Bodh Gaya for two people costs, on average, $878 (₨74,214). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $63
    5,301
  • One Week Per person
    $439
    37,107
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $878
    74,214
  • One Month Per person
    $1,881
    159,030
  • One Week For a couple
    $878
    74,214
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $1,755
    148,428
  • One Month For a couple
    $3,761
    318,060
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Bodh Gaya cost?

A one week trip to Bodh Gaya usually costs around $439 (₨37,107) for one person and $878 (₨74,214) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Bodh Gaya on average costs around $878 (₨74,214) for one person and $1,755 (₨148,428) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Bodh Gaya will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Bodh Gaya on average costs around $1,881 (₨159,030) for one person and $3,761 (₨318,060) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is Bodh Gaya expensive to visit?

Bodh Gaya is a smaller place that appeals to a wide spectrum of travelers, featuring different styles, expenditure habits, and budget ranges. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.

You can find Bodh Gaya to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.

On average, budget travelers spend $27 (₨2,319) per day, mid-range travelers spend $63 (₨5,301) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $120 (₨10,129) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bodh Gaya.

Within Asia, Bodh Gaya is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Kathmandu or Johor Bahru.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Bodh Gaya?

The average Bodh Gaya trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bodh Gaya travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bodh Gaya cost?

Bodh Gaya on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
$10
(813)
$22
(1,857)
$42
(3,549)
Local Transportation 1 $10
(844)
$23
(1,929)
$44
(3,685)
Food 2 $12
(995)
$27
(2,274)
$51
(4,345)
Entertainment 1 $4
(359)
$10
(821)
$19
(1,570)
Alcohol 2 $1-4
(103-309)
$3-8
(236-707)
$5-16
(450-1,351)

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

When planning your trip to Bodh Gaya, it's important to be realistic about your travel budget. While some people assume they can travel very cheaply, most people aren't comfortable on an extreme shoestring budget. Consider what you enjoy most on vacation and how you like to travel. Do you perfer to stay in resorts, hotels, or hostels? Do you enjoy sightseeing and dining out? These factors will affect your overall budget and travel plans.

Who are Budget Travelers?

You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $27 per day that backpackers typically manage.

Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.

Could You Be an Average Traveler?

If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at well-liked restaurants, and check out significant museums and attractions that charge entry fees. Many who visit Bodh Gaya will seek to enjoy the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. Most activities aren't free. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $63 per person, per day.

Looking to Travel in Luxury?

If you're looking for a high-end escape with every amenity and high-quality service, be prepared for daily expenses around $120. Staying in upscale hotels, enjoying meals at award-winning restaurants, indulging in lavish excursions, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination will entail a more premium price tag. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Bodh Gaya

Hotel rates in Bodh Gaya vary a lot, especially between budget and luxury options. Peak season () brings higher prices, with rates rising from an off-season averages of $34 to $63. Expect prices to range from $16 for budget hotels to $134 for luxury. Hostels, particularly dorms, are cheaper. To save money, travel off-season or book early.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Bodh Gaya for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $44 (₨3,714). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $22 (₨1,857) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $22
    1,857
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $44
    3,714

Hotels in Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Bodh Gaya? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Actual Hotel Prices in Bodh Gaya

The average hotel room price in Bodh Gaya based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $34 in the low season and $63 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bodh Gaya include:

  • Hotel Taj Darbar starting at $24
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Bodh Gaya

Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than during , will give you cheaper lodging options and fewer tourists to navigate around.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Bodh Gaya

Unfortunately, Bodh Gaya does not provide a solid public transit network.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $23 (₨1,929) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bodh Gaya. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Bodh Gaya is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $23
    1,929

Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:

  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport for $13 details
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport for $13 details
  • Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer for $15 details

Recommended Services


Flights to Bodh Gaya
How much does it cost to go to Bodh Gaya? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Bodh Gaya
The price of renting a car in Bodh Gaya will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Bodh Gaya

Food is a major reason many people explore new destinations, so don't skip the chance to try local delicacies.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in Bodh Gaya can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bodh Gaya is $27 (₨2,274) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $27
    2,274

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bodh Gaya is around $27 (₨2274) per person, with previous travelers spending from $12 to $51. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Bodh Gaya are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $3 to $8
  • Lunch: $4 to $11
  • Dinner: $8 to $19
  • Coffee: $2
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $4

Om Restaurant is well-known for outstanding Tibetan food in large portions and low prices. While the atmosphere may be lacking, diners keep returning for Thukpa and Thentuk soup. Dine at Siam Thai Restaurant for a taste of Southeast Asia. With beautiful, temple-like ambiance, a clean dining room, and delicious Tom Yum soup and pad Thai, the moderate prices may be worthwhile.

Hidden away in a small alley, Mohammed's Restaurant is a simple eatery which serves a variety of quality Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Thai, and western fare at reasonable prices. Mohammed's also offers a solid internet connection and people return for their momos, cakes and pies.

Be Happy Cafe is a breath of fresh Western air if you're missing comfort foods like pizza, salads, and cakes. Prices are higher than typical local restaurants, but you're getting a break from spicy Indian food.

Run by a Tibetan family, Tibet Om offers Chinese, Tibetan, Nepali and Indian fare at low prices perfect for the budget traveler. This restaurant is definitely a no-frills kind of place, but more importantly, it's clean with friendly service. The delicious momos and sandwiches made with Tibetan bread are must-try items.

Accommodation

Travelers who wish to enjoy luxuries such as a swimming pool and modern amenities can find these creature comforts the Maha Bodhi Hotel, Resort and Convention Center. Mid-range hotels, such as Hotel Bodhgaya Regency and Hotel Bodhgaya Gautam and Bodhgaya offer basic amenities, such as air conditioning and include delicious meals.

Besides low-range hotels, budget travelers can also take advantage of staying at one of the many monasteries in Bodh Gaya. Go easy on your wallet while enjoying an immersive cultural experience. While a monastery will not be a luxurious accommodation, it undoubtedly exposes visitors to what BodhGaya is all about - touching base with the roots of the Buddhism. Most monasteries allow visitors to stay for donations and also provide simple meals.

Some places, such as the Root Institute are the perfect retreat for meditation, offering basic rooms as well as Tibetan Buddhism, meditation and yoga courses.

Food & Dining Tips

Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.

Instead of buying drinks, bring a water bottle. It's also an environmentally friendly option.

While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.



Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bodh Gaya

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bodh Gaya typically cost an average of $9.71 (₨821) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $9.71
    821

Bodhgaya (or Bodh Gaya) is a small town known mostly for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, which is the holiest of pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists. Inside the Mahabodhi main temple complex, you can see the golden Buddha statue on the diamond throne, the Mahabodhi stupa, the Bodhi tree, Muchalinda Lake, beautiful sculptures, paintings and scriptures. Check out the Cankamana, which marks the footsteps of Buddha as he walked back and forth around the temple complex.

Nearby, there are also many monasteries and temples of the various countries which practice Buddhism, such as those of Cambodia, Burma, and Vietnam. Each temple is built in its own culturally-influenced style of its native country. The Mahabodhi Chinese Temple, Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling (Tibetan temple), are within walking distance of the Mahabodhi Temple and Indosan Nipponji (Japanese temple), Royal Bhutan Monastery, and Thai Monastery are just a short rickshaw ride away. The Metta Buddharam Temple is one of the newer monasteries and can be visited even during construction. This one is remarkably different with its beautiful all-white Thai elements.

Be sure to visit the 25-meter high Giant Buddha Statue at Daijokyo Temple, one of the stops on the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. Located about 11 kilometers north is Vishnupad Temple, believed to be built upon the footsteps of the Hindu Lord Vishnu. Hindus come to this religious site especially to perform Pind Daan, a sacred ritual in memory of their beloved who have passed, to ensure that they attain salvation in the afterlife.

History and religion buffs and devout Buddhists may also be interested to visit Dungeshwari Cave Temples, about are 12 kilometers northeast from Bodh Gaya. Also known as the Mahakala Caves or Sujatha Sthan, these are three caves which contain shrines for Buddhists and one for Hindus, where Buddha meditated. While the caves themselves are not impressive, visiting this site is more about the experience and understanding Buddha's life than it is about seeing a breath-taking tourist destination. This is a special place to Buddhists because it is believed to be the site where Buddha was offered kheer by an untouchable woman to help him regain his strength on his quest to enlightenment.



A nice way to explore destinations in Bodh Gaya is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

  • Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up for $34 details
  • Excursion tour of Rajgir & Nalanda from Bodhgaya for $86 details
  • Private guided tour of Bodh Gaya over 2 days for $175 details

Recommended Activities


Nightlife Budget in Bodh Gaya

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $5.57 (₨471) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Bodh Gaya per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $5.57
    471
Nightlife Tips

Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.



Budgeting and Travel Tips for Bodh Gaya

  • Peak season in often means inflated prices and a busy destination. You can save some money and skip the crowds by opting for the shoulder or low seasons for your visit.
  • Slowing your travel tempo can not only save you money but also let you enjoy the stunning beauty of your surroundings. When you pack each day with activities, costs can rise rapidly. However, a more relaxed pace usually leads to lower expenses and a more enjoyable experience.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Options for public transportation in Bodh Gaya are limited. Getting other transportation, like a private driver or tour, could be a good idea, but it may impact your budget elsewhere.
  • Bodh Gaya isn't known for its hostels, so if you're banking on finding a cheap dorm, it might be time to adjust your travel plans. A budget hotel or apartment rental could work better for you.
Traveling in Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya Bodhgaya, India

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.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.