How much does it cost to travel to Pondicherry?
You should plan to spend around $33 (₨2,800) per day on your vacation in Pondicherry. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $11 (₨917) on meals
- $5.66 (₨473) on local transportation
- $32 (₨2,665) on hotels
A one week trip to Pondicherry for two people costs, on average, $469 (₨39,196). 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.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Pondicherry has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Pondicherry expensive to visit?
Pondicherry is a very affordable place to visit. Located in India, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Pondicherry in depth.
Within Asia, Pondicherry is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Pondicherry Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Pondicherry?
The average Pondicherry trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Pondicherry travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₨2,665
($32)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₨473
($6)
|
Food 2
|
₨917
($11)
|
Entertainment 1
|
₨932
($11)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
₨10 -
31
($0 - 0)
|
Alcohol 2
|
₨288 -
865
($3 - 10)
|
Accommodation Budget in Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Pondicherry is $16 (₨1,333). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Pondicherry is $32 (₨2,665). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Pondicherry is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.66 (₨473) per person, per day, on local transportation in Pondicherry.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.66
₨473
How much does it cost to go to Pondicherry? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Pondicherry can vary, the average cost of food in Pondicherry is $11 (₨917) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Pondicherry should cost around $4.39 (₨367) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Pondicherry is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$11
₨917
Entertainment Budget in Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Pondicherry typically cost an average of $11 (₨932) 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.
$11
₨932
Tips and Handouts Budget in Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $6.90 (₨577) on alcoholic beverages in Pondicherry per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.90
₨577
Water Budget in Pondicherry
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.69 (₨57) on bottled water in Pondicherry per day. The public water in Pondicherry is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.69
₨57
Pondicherry On a Budget
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.
Sights
With a history rooted in its colonial beginnings, Pondicherry is a great place to experience old world architecture. Remnants of the past are visible in the French Quarter with colonial villas, tree-lined streets, and an overall sense of all that is French. For more history, visit the Pondicherry Museum which houses a collection of sculptures, handicrafts, and archaeological findings from the Arikamedu Roman settlement as well as items from the French colonial time such as furniture and coins, amongst other things.
The Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple is another common place to visit, built before the 15th century and dedicated to Bhavaneshar Ganapathy-a form of Lord Ganesha, who is known as the remover of obstacles. A beautiful architectural example, the shrine is located about 400 meters from the Bay of Bengal in White Town. Another highly revered religious site is The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, situated on the south boulevard of town-a stunning example of Gothic architecture and stained glass windows. Other notable sights include Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Varadaraja Perumal Temple.
Neighborhoods
Pondicherry's French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter (also known as White Town, Black town, and Indian Town). As the name suggests, this part of the city is heavily under French influence with remnants of its colonial past in the grid-pattern tree-lined avenues, architecture consisting of mustard-yellow villas, chic boutiques, and a general aura that is distinctly French. The seafront is also a popular place for visitors and locals to frequent. Goubert Ave (Beach Rd) is a great place to take a stroll right along the coastline, with the French Quarter located just inland from here. The promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4 meter-high Gandhi Memorial. Auroville, located just north of Pondicherry, is another interesting place to experience. Established as an experimental town in 1968, the goal was to create an international community of peace and unity. Auroville is currently inhabited by individuals from over 40 different nations.
Activities
Beyond the history and architecture mentioned earlier, the beaches of Pondicherry are worth visiting as well. Paradise Beach is a vast shoreline complete with dense palm groves, located about 8 kilometers from the city center. It can be reached by boat from Chunnambar Boat House. Serenity Beach is another treasured shoreline, quieter and more secluded than others in the Bay of Bengal.
Additionally there is the Botanical Garden, featuring six gorgeous fountains, a large aquarium with ornamental fishes, Japanese rock, dancing fountain, and a children's train. Established in 1826, the garden has grown to encompass 22 acres with over 1500 species of plants.
Other activities include city tours, shopping, dining, and experiencing the culture of Pondicherry.
Food and Dining
South Indian cuisine usually consists of (mainly vegetarian) dishes eaten with steamed rice. The traditional way of eating a meal involves being seated on the floor with the food served on a banana leaf, using the fingers of the right hand to eat, no utensils. Cooking of the Tamil Nadu area is famous for using a variety of spices to add flavor to main ingredients like rice, lentils, and legumes. One common dish, Biryani, is a type of fried rice with masala cooked with vegetables or meat. Special varieties include Ambur biryani, served with dhalcha (a sour brinjal curry), and Dindigul biryani which uses a little curd and lemon juice to get a tangy taste. Coffee and tea are the staple beverages. In addition to these South Indian delicacies, there is also some French influence to the cooking in Pondicherry, given its roots as the largest French colony in India. Located on the coast, the city's seafood is also very good.
Transportation
The best way to reach Pondicherry is to travel by road from Chennai, located about 160 kilometers (99 miles) north of the city. The journey takes about three hours along the East Coast Road (ECR), which is very scenic. Another option is to take National Highway 45, also known as Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road. Both routes are toll roads and take about the same time. One can get a bus from CMBT in Koyambedu or from Thiruvanmiyur or Guindy. Taxis are also available from Chennai Airport.
By train, Pondicherry is connected to Chennai by an electric broad gauge railway line through Villupuram.
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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.