Should I Visit Aswan or Dharamsala for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Aswan or Dharamsala?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Dharamsala? 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: Aswan or Dharamsala?

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

Dharamsala

With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.

Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Aswan?

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

Aswan Prices
Egypt Prices

Dharamsala Prices
India Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Aswan $19

Dharamsala $40

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $19, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $40. 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 Aswan and Dharamsala in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Aswan $6.34

Dharamsala $22
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Aswan $13

Dharamsala $44

Compare Hotels in Aswan and Dharamsala

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Dharamsala? 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: Aswan Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Aswan $4.07

Dharamsala $4.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

Private transfer from/to Aswan train station: $7.00
Private Airport Transfer in Aswan: $7.00
Aswan Station to Hotel: Round-Trip Private Transfer Service : $8.00
Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $8.00
Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Private Transfer: $10
Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10
Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Anywhere in Aswan: $10
Private Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel : $10
Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel: $13
Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise : $13
Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan: $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:

Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Dharamsala?

Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Aswan 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

Aswan $9.31

Dharamsala $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.

Dinner at Soleih restaurant by vehicle: $33
Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
Nubian Dinner at the Nubian village : $47
Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $49
Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $280

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Aswan $5.74

Dharamsala $5.39

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:

Temple Kom Ombo for Two

$1.19

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:

Unfinished Obelisk Entry Ticket: $5.60
Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan Entry Ticket: $6.32
Kom Ombo Temple Entry Ticket: $9.12
Philae Temple Entry Ticket: $11
Philae Temple Complex Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $13
Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
Unfinished Obelisk Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $16
Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour from Aswan: $20
Private Tour Sail on the Nile Aswan Felucca Ride : $20
Philae Temple Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $21
City Tour in Aswan by Bicycle : $21
From The Unfinished Obelisk Private Tour: $21

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:

The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $13
Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $24
Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $25
Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $41
Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $41
Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $55
Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $79
Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $95

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Aswan $1.17

Dharamsala $5.39

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aswan is in Africa and Dharamsala 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 Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Dharamsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dharamsala than you might in Aswan.

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

Which is Bigger, Aswan or Dharamsala?

Aswan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Dharamsala, 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aswan vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Dharamsala?

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

Where Should I go: Aswan or Dharamsala?

Aswan

Dharamsala

Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Aswan?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Aswan and Dharamsala

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Dharamsala?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Aswan or Dharamsala?

Related Articles for Aswan

Related Articles for Dharamsala

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aswan vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Dharamsala?

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

Where Should I go: Aswan or Dharamsala?

Aswan

Dharamsala

Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Aswan?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Aswan and Dharamsala

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Dharamsala?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Aswan or Dharamsala?

Related Articles for Aswan

Related Articles for Dharamsala

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