Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntalya $147Varanasi $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $147, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $30. 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 $55Varanasi $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntalya $110Varanasi $32
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 $110Varanasi $4.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- olympos cable car with transfer from antalya: $88
- fire of anatolia show ticket and transfer: $77
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Antalya HTL-APT (AYT): $35
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Antalya APT-HTL (AYT): $35
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to city of Side: $74
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Tekirova: $85
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Kiris/Camyuva: $81
- Transfer from Antalya Airport to Kemer: $74
- The Land of Legends at Night w/Boat Parade Inl. Transfer f/Side: $35
- The Land of Legends Theme Park with Transfer from Side: $141
- The Land of Legends Theme Park with Transfer from Antalya: $91
- Suluada Boat Tour with Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer from Antalya: $48
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$0.96
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Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $177
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 $25Varanasi $7.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Turkish Tastes at Antalya Food Tour: $47
- Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $73
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$4.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
- 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
- India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antalya $46Varanasi $10
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: $66
- Full Day Tour in Altınbeşik Cave and Ürünlü : $60
- Full-Day Adventure 3 in 1 activity from Antalya to Köprülü Canyon National Park: $53
- Tour of waterfall (unıque): $71
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour from Antalya: $49
- 2 in 1 Tour in Antalya Rafting and Buggy Safari Tour with Lunch : $40
- 3 in 1 Rafting Buggy Safari and Zipline Adventure in Antalya: $38
- 4-Hour Antalya Short Shopping Tour: $21
- 4-Hour Guided Antalya Aquarium Tour : $68
- 6-Hour Kemer Pirate Boat Tour with Open-Buffet Lunch from Antalya: $29
- 7 Hour Adventure on The Land of Legends Theme Park (Antalya): $121
- ATV Adventure Antalya with Hotel Pick-Up : $65
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$0.84
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,439
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $162
- 2 Days Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $116
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $150
- 2 days Varanasi city Tour by a Vande Bharat train: $226
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntalya $20Varanasi $7.85
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.