Is Pondicherry Expensive?

Is Pondicherry expensive to visit?

While Pondicherry is a popular destination, it is also very affordable and not expensive to visit. The average daily cost is just $40. This is actually one of the main reasons why it's so popular with tourists. When compared to other cities in Asia, many travelers find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of destinations in Asia for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Dharamsala and Royal Chitwan National Park.



Pondicherry

How expensive is Pondicherry?

Travelers spend an average of $40 per day when visiting Pondicherry (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Pondicherry here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Pondicherry?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Pondicherry costs around $121 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $242.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Pondicherry?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Pondicherry will cost around $282 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $564.

Is it expensive to backpack in Pondicherry?

Pondicherry is a popular backpacker destination with more than 10 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $7 per night. (See hostel prices in Pondicherry here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $15 and the cheapest around $3 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Pondicherry.

  • $4 for a dorm bed at Nomad House - Pondicherry
  • $7 for a dorm bed at Micasa Hostels Pondicherry
  • $8 for a dorm bed at Eness Hostels Pondicherry

Are hotels expensive in Pondicherry?

If you're considering hotel prices in Pondicherry, you'll find them to be slightly higher in price in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $54. In Pondicherry, there are about 2 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $141. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $57 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $33 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Pondicherry
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 2 $141
4 stars 5 $91
3 stars 37 $57
2 stars 14 $33
1 star 3 $32

Perumal Koil Street, Puducherry
Overall Rating 9.1
Door No: 4, R.S NO: 239, Rue De bussy Street (Lal bah door sastri Road), Puducherry
Overall Rating 9.0

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Pondicherry?

In Pondicherry, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $11 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $10.

  • The Best of Pondicherry: A Private Sightseeing Tour: $47
  • Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
  • Pondicherry city sightseeing by Private vehicle: $80
  • From Pondicherry: Day Tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram: $123
  • Full Day Guided Tour of Pondicherry with lunch and hotel pickup: $95
  • Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
  • The Unique Pondicherry City Bike Tour : $21
  • Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $14

Is food expensive in Pondicherry?

In Pondicherry, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $18 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $17.

  • 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: $141
  • Cooking class in Pondicherry (with Lunch or Dinner): $268

Is transportation expensive in Pondicherry?

The prices of local transportation in Pondicherry can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $5 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $6. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Pondicherry

If you're planning a trip to Pondicherry, India, check out these other informative travel guides.



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.



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