A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amman vs. Varanasi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amman or Varanasi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Varanasi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Amman or Varanasi?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

Varanasi

Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.


Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Amman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Amman and Varanasi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    Varanasi $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Amman and Varanasi

Looking for a hotel in Amman or Varanasi? 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.

Hotels in Amman


Hotels in Varanasi


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: Amman Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    Varanasi $4.35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Queen Alia Airport to Dead Sea Hotels or visa versa: $46
  • Reliable Door-to-Door Private Transfer Amman ⇆ Dead Sea ⇆ Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Wadi Rum: $133
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Aqaba Airport: $153
  • Private Transfer from Madaba Hotel to Amman Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer from Amman to the Dead Sea: $53
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Dead sea: $95
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Aqaba: $110
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $19
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport QAIA to Your Hotel in Amman: $65
  • Private Transfer from Allenby King Hussein Bridge to Aqaba Airport: $173
  • Private Transfer From Amman City To Petra: $90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.84
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk with transfers: $72
  • Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk with transfers: $79
  • Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including transfers: $77
  • Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
  • Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $53
  • Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $11
  • Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
  • Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $13
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
  • Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Varanasi?

Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Amman 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Amman $58
    Varanasi $11
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Private 2 Hour Cooking Class with the Locals in Amman: $50
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Amman: $100
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $119
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at Alee Restaurant in Amman: $120
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience: $147

Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $3.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $14
  • Cooking Class with Sona: $29
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $29
  • Ganga Aarti with Street Food Tour of Varanasi: $40
  • Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
  • Varanasi Cooking Classes with Shobha: $40
  • Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Dinner: $42
  • Private Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings & Pickup: $44
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
  • Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $50
  • Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
  • Indian Cooking Class with Hotel Pickup: $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    Varanasi $9.24

Tours and Activities in Amman

For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Night Private Overnight Dead Sea Independent Tour from Amman: $145
  • 2 Day Group Tour from Amman to Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead Sea: $250
  • 2 Day Petra Shobak Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $210
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Baptism and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $210
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $210
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Pink Lake and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $210
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Aqaba Private Guided Tour: $210
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $192
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $192
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $192
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $210
  • 2 Day Petra and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour All Inclusive: $210

Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.74

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $271
  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $180
  • 2 Days Varanasi City Tour with Evening Aarti and Boat Ride: $100
  • 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
  • 2 Night 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi with Cruise Ride: $233
  • 2-Day Varanasi Experience – Temples, Ghats & Ganga Aarti: $140
  • 2-Day Varanasi Heritage & Tradition Guided Tour: $156
  • 2-Day Experience Sunrise Boat Ride & Evening Aarti: $317

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    Varanasi $6.91

Sample the Local Flavors in Amman

Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting: $127


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Varanasi, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East and Varanasi is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman than you might in Varanasi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amman or Varanasi?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Varanasi, 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.