Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Pondicherry?
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 Pondicherry or Tokyo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pondicherry and Tokyo 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: Pondicherry or Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Pondicherry Prices
India PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPondicherry $39Tokyo $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Pondicherry is $39, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $190. 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 Pondicherry and Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPondicherry $15Tokyo $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPondicherry $30Tokyo $158
Compare Hotels in Pondicherry and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Pondicherry or Tokyo? 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: Pondicherry Hotel Prices and Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pondicherry $5.37Tokyo $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【Haneda Airport】Luxury Private Transfer : $90
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfers to/from Narita Airport(NRT): $79
- Private Transfer to/from Haneda Airport 7 Seater: $124
- Private Transfer from/to Yokohama Port: $195
- Private Transfer from Tokyo to Narita Airport (NRT) : $284
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Hakone or Mt.Fuji: $156
- Private Customize Day Tour With Hotel Transfer: $200
- One-Way Private Transfer from Haneda Airport: $149
- Hotel Transfer to/from Disneyland or DisneySea: $42
- Tokyo, Shinkansen, Disneyland, Yokohama, City to City Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Pondicherry or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Pondicherry 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 dayPondicherry $18Tokyo $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.41
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
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Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $21
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $35
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $35
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $42
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $45
- Tokyo Retro Backstreet Tokyo Tour Option to Add Dinner: $56
- Tokyo Downtown Akihabara Tour And Dinner Party Adults Only: $59
- Japanese cooking class - Bring the flavors of Japan to France: $61
- Tokyo Cute Bento : Kawaii Lunchbox Cooking Class!: $63
- Authentic Japanese Home Cooking Class in Chiba with Miyuki: $66
- [1 Group Only] Explore Tokyo Ginza Food Tour for Family: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pondicherry $11Tokyo $71
Tours and Activities in Pondicherry
For Pondicherry, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sri Arunachaleswara Temple Tour From Pondicherry: $75
- Best of the Pondicherry (Guided Full Day City Tour): $125
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville: $231
- Cultural Day Tour of Pondicherry and Auroville with Lunch: $280
- Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience): $141
- From Day Tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram: $109
- Full Day Guided Tour of Pondicherry with lunch and hotel pickup: $115
- Guided City Tour in Pondicherry with complimentary refreshments: $47
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry : $14
- Magical Pondicherry Markets Tour : $12
- Pondicherry Art Trails (2 Hours Guided Walking Tours): $13
- Pondicherry City Bicycle Tour: $157
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $104
- Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $104
- Can Am Ryker Cruising in Asakusa Adventure: $243
- Futakotamagawa Suburban Gems Private Tour in Tokyo: $83
- Join Tokyo Art Class Experience Publicly: $125
- Manga Artist Experience with Professional Guidance in Tokyo: $115
- Mount Fuji and Iconic Scenic Spots Day Tour : $99
- Pick the Hours That Suit You In A Flexible Tokyo Guided Tour: $70
- Private Walking Tour Tokyo's Fukagawa Edo Museum: $104
- Shibuya Tokyo Private Photo Tour Activity: $278
- Tokyo Skytree Private Walking Tour Experience With cafe inside: $188
- “Daikoku Car Meet Night Tour | JDM Experience in Tokyo”: $278
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPondicherry $6.55Tokyo $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$4.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $94
- Historic Sake Brewery Tour and Culinary Pairing: $125
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $143
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $172
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $202
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $243
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pondicherry and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Pondicherry much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pondicherry would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pondicherry 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Pondicherry.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pondicherry Expensive? and Is Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pondicherry or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pondicherry. When comparing the sizes of Pondicherry and Tokyo, 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.