Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Varanasi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Varanasi?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, 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 Aqaba and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Varanasi $4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: Private Transfer to Aqaba through Hotel Pickup: $66
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port Private Transfer – Comfortable & Reliable: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Private Transfer – Hassle-Free Travel: $100
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $59
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Sheikh Hussein Crossing Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $250
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
- Private Transfers from Aqaba Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $47
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$0.83
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $13
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Varanasi $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $80
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $107
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
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$3.58
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
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Dinner: $42
- Private Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings & Pickup: $44
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Indian Cooking Class with Hotel Pickup: $52
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Varanasi $9.11
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hour Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $60
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $30
- 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $193
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour (morning or sunset) - Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $46
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$0.73
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- Sunrise Boat Tour: $3.17
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Photo tour in holy Varanasi: $7.40
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $11
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $11
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $11
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Private Customizable Walking Tour with Local Guide: $11
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Explore the Old Varanasi City: Guided Walking Tour on foot: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Varanasi $6.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Varanasi, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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.