Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Madhya Pradesh?
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 Madhya Pradesh or Bodh Gaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Madhya Pradesh or Bodh Gaya? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Madhya Pradesh or Bodh Gaya?
Madhya Pradesh
Translating to "central region," Madhya Pradesh is a state centrally located within the plains of India. While it is not a major tourist hub, the region has plenty to showcase in regards to the history, art, religion, and culture of central India.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours in India, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Madhya Pradesh Prices
India PricesBodh Gaya Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadhya Pradesh $16Bodh Gaya $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Madhya Pradesh is $16, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $60. 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 Madhya Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadhya Pradesh $8.12Bodh Gaya $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadhya Pradesh $16Bodh Gaya $42
Compare Hotels in Madhya Pradesh and Bodh Gaya
Looking for a hotel in Madhya Pradesh 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: Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madhya Pradesh $0.89Bodh Gaya $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madhya Pradesh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Madhya Pradesh:
- Private Transfer from Raja Bhoj (BHO) Airport to Bhopal: $45
- Private Transfer from Indore to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar (IDR) Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar (IDR) Airport to Indore: $48
- Private Transfer from Bhopal to Raja Bhoj (BHO) Airport: $45
- Private Custom Tour: Orchha Sightseeing with Guide and transfers: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya
Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Day Private Bodhgaya Sightseeing Tour with Transfer: $120
- Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15
- Gaya Airport (GAY) Private Transfer to Gaya City/Hotels: $25
- Private Airport Transfer Gaya to or from Bodhgaya Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13
- Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Madhya Pradesh or Bodh Gaya?
Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Madhya Pradesh 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 dayMadhya Pradesh $5.63Bodh Gaya $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madhya Pradesh $3.16Bodh Gaya $9.32
Tours and Activities in Madhya Pradesh
Here are a few actual costs in Madhya Pradesh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Night 3 Days Adventure & Cultural Escape in Orchha: $92
- 3 Days Ujjain Mahakal and Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Darshan Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Site: $99
- A Day Tour of Gwalior from Agra with Local Guide Service: $64
- A Day Tour of Orchha & Jhansi Fort from Khajuraho with Guide: $81
- All Inclusive Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Orchha: $96
- Best of Khajuraho (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $77
- Bhedaghat Tour From Jabalpur: $99
- Birds and Heritage: Bhoj Wetland and Bhopal City Tour: $51
- Day Trip to Mastani Mahal & Ajaigarh Fort (Guided Private Tour from Khajuraho): $139
- Erotic Temple Tour of Khajuraho: $96
- Full Day 8-hours Heritage Tour to Khajuraho Temples: $51
Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya
For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Tour from Delhi by Car – Fast Entry: $4.51
- Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
- Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $32
- Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $33
- Private Tour of Bodhgaya and Gaya Including Vishnupad Temple: $50
- Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $52
- Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $53
- Private Bodhgaya Spiritual Tour with Expert Guide: $55
- A Day Tour of Dungeshwari Caves and Barabar Caves from Bodhgaya.: $62
- Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $63
- Half Day Private Guided Tour in Bodh Gaya & Dungeshwari Caves: $88
- Private Day Tour to Rajgir and Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadhya Pradesh $2.48Bodh Gaya $5.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madhya Pradesh and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Madhya Pradesh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madhya Pradesh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madhya Pradesh 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 Madhya Pradesh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madhya Pradesh Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.
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.