Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Athens?
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 Athens 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 Athens 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: Athens or Varanasi?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Varanasi €27
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is €27. 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 Athens and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Varanasi €12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Varanasi €24
Compare Hotels in Athens and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Varanasi €3.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer From/To Athens Center - Rafina Port: $235
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $269
- Transfer services from/to Athens Airport: $113
- Transfer from or to Athens Airport: $94
- Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens Airport and Vice Versa 22:30PM - 06:29AM: $164
- Transfer from OR to Athens International Airport: $141
- Transfer from Athens City Center to Athens Airport (ATH): $52
- Transfer from Athens Airport to Vouliagmeni: $111
- Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Athens City Center: $46
- Transfer Services in Luxurious Vehicles: $141
- Transfer Athens Airport to Piraeus Port or Cruise Terminal: $96
- Transfer ATHENS CITY CENTER to/from RAFINA PORT: $110
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€0.73
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Rickshaw Ride€0.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Varanasi €9.38
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $67
- Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $69
- Cooking Class & Meal at a Roof Garden in Athens: $69
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $76
- Athens Street Food Tour: Taste the best street food: $80
- Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $81
- Classic Cooking Class with Market Visit and Wine: $81
- Sunset Tour to Temple of Poseidon with Dinner Stop from Athens: $81
- Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings: $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $82
- Athens Food Tour: Flavors of Asia Minor (private group): $82
- Cook Like a Greek in Athens Hands On Cooking Class with Wine: $84
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€3.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Varanasi €7.97
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- "A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals: $211
- "Athens City Tour - 4 Hours": $167
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $175
- "Athens Night Experience - 4Hours": $167
- "Athens in a Day: A Full-Day Tour of the City’s Top Highlights": $255
- "Athens in a Glimpse with Cruise Port Pickup & Drop-Off": $175
- 1 Day Parnitha Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $176
- 2 Day Tour To The Best Places Of Peloponnese: $293
- 2 Days Private Tour at Delphi and Meteora: $252
- 2 days Spanish guided tour in Delphi and Meteora: $293
- 2-Day Delphi & Meteora Tour from Athens with Hotel & Guided Tour: $270
- 2-Day Guided Tour to Meteora from Athens with Accommodation: $141
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€0.64
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Varanasi €5.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- The Original Athens Pub Crawl: $11
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $28
- Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $37
- Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl w/ Acropolis Views & Party: $41
- Athens Small Group Wine Tasting with a Sommelier: $53
- Athens bar crawl: $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store: $66
- Athens Olive oil Honey and Wine Tasting with Snacks Experience: $76
- Athens Boutique Wine Tasting: $79
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Athens with Tasting: $92
- Wine tasting tour of Athens Greece: $124
- Athens Wine Tour: Wine museum and Wine Tasting with Food Pairings: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Varanasi, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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.