Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Bodrum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bodrum or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bodrum and Dharamsala can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bodrum or Dharamsala?
Bodrum
Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.
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 Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBodrum $92Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $92, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $35. 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 Bodrum and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBodrum $48Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBodrum $96Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Bodrum 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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bodrum $24Dharamsala $5.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum
Also for Bodrum, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- İzmir Airport - Kuşadası / İzmir Center : Private Transfer: $24
- From Ferry Transfer to Kos: $27
- Boat Cruise with Lunch and Optional Hotel Transfer: $27
- Turkish Bath and Spa Expereince with Hotel Transfers: $30
- From Private Village Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $34
- Comfortable Turkish Bath and Spa, from Bodrum include Transfers: $35
- Independent Day Trip to Kos Island from Bodrum with Transfers: $36
- Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV) to Bodrum Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- From Kos: A day ride to Bodrum with comfortable transfer: $39
- Bodrum Quad Safari Tour With Free Hotel Transfer By Locals: $40
- Private Transfer from Bodrum Milas Airport BJV to Bodrum Port : $43
- Private Transfer from Bodrum Port to Bodrum Milas Airport BJV: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Bodrum 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 dayBodrum $24Dharamsala $8.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum
For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $44
- Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $104
- Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $126
- Bodrum Market Visit and Cooking Class: $129
- Bodrum Vineyard Tour with Dinner and Wine Pairing: $129
- Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $131
- Bodrum Cooking Class: $175
- 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $186
- Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $222
- Shore Excursions - Istanbul by Night: Turkish Food Tour: $252
- Private Vineyard Tour with Dinner Under the Stars in Karnas: $292
- From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $322
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dharamsala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dharamsala.
- Flavors of Dharamshala: 2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bodrum $31Dharamsala $5.57
Tours and Activities in Bodrum
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.
- Muğla: Quick Tour, Essentials of Muğla: $6.00
- Daily Boat Tour (Orak Island) around Bodrum and Black Island Coves : $19
- Beaches and Islands Boat Tour with Lunch: $20
- Orak Island Boat Tour with Swim Stops and Lunch: $24
- Orakadasi Boat Tour From Bodrum (Maldives of Turkey) With Lunch: $25
- Bodrum Black island Tour: $26
- Orak island Boat Tour: $27
- Turkish Bath Experience: $31
- Black Island Boat Tour with Lunch: $32
- Boat Tour for Mein Schiff Cruise Passengers: $32
- Carpet Weaving Art Lessons & Experience: $33
- Traditional Turkish Hammam Experience: $38
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local - Full Day Guided Tour: $128
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $81
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $299
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Guided Andretta Artists' VIllage Tour: $98
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBodrum $14Dharamsala $5.57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Dharamsala, we can see that Bodrum is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bodrum is in Europe 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 Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Bodrum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodrum than you might in Dharamsala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bodrum Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bodrum or Dharamsala?
Bodrum has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum 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.
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.