Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Antalya?
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 Antalya or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Antalya or Varanasi? 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: Antalya or Varanasi?
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Antalya Prices
Turkey PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntalya $108Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $108, 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 Antalya and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntalya $36Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntalya $72Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Antalya and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Antalya 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.
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: Antalya Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antalya $72Varanasi $4.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- fire of anatolia show ticket and transfer: $91
- antalya to cappadocia/cappadocia to antalya private transfer: $535
- VIP Private Transfer from Antalya Airport: $0.61
- VIP Private Transfer Service in Antalya: $46
- VIP Antalya Airport Transfer with Upsun Transfer: $80
- Turkish Maldives Suluada Boat Trip, Lunch & Transfer from Antalya: $44
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to city of Side: $93
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Kiris/Camyuva: $104
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Kemer: $92
- The Land of Legends Night Show with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Tazı Canyon & Rafting Full Day with Transfer and Lunch: $29
- Side: Whitewater Rafting Adventure with Lunch and Transfer: $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
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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 Antalya or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Antalya 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 dayAntalya $29Varanasi $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Land of Legends Night Show w/Dinner: $11
- Antalya/Side/Alanya: Land of Legends Night Show with Dinner: $29
- Sunset Cruise with Waterfalls, Dinner & Drinks: $31
- From Suluada Island Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $44
- Antalya/Belek/Kemer: Suluada Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $44
- Pamukkale and Salda Lake Tour with Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner: $50
- Fire of Anatolia Dance Show and Dinner at Aspendos from Kemer: $63
- Kunefe Cooking Class with Local Chef in Old Town: $63
- Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $76
- Turkish Cooking Class with a Local Mom in Central Antalya: $76
- Turkish Breakfast Cooking with a Local Mom in Antalya: $80
- Turkish Cooking Class with a Local Mom in Central Antalya: $90
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antalya $30Varanasi $9.24
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- # Antalya City Tour 2 Waterfalls, Boat Trip –All Tickets Included: $17
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour From Antalya: $70
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour from Antalya: $46
- 2 Days Guided Tour of Cappadocia: $60
- 2-Day Guided Cappadocia Tour with Cave Hotel Option From Antalya: $60
- 3 Different Natural Wonders Waterfall Tours in ANTALYA: $59
- 6-Hour Kemer Pirate Boat Tour with Open-Buffet Lunch from Antalya: $42
- 90-minute Canoe or Sup Experience in Antalya: $65
- ATV Adventure Antalya with Hotel Pick-Up: $44
- ATV Quad Bike Safari Tour in Antalya, Alanya, Belek, Side & Kemer: $40
- Adrasan & Suluada (Turkish Maldives) Island Boat Tour: $39
- Alanya Horse Riding Experience: $63
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntalya $13Varanasi $6.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Antalya
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antalya:
- Antalya's Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Varanasi, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antalya is in Europe 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 Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya 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 Antalya Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antalya or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Antalya. When comparing the sizes of Antalya 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.
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.