Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cairo or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Varanasi 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: Cairo or Varanasi?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
-
Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $33Varanasi $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $33, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $33. 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 Cairo and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $11Varanasi $15
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $22Varanasi $30
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.80Varanasi $4.69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
-
Metro Ride$0.08
-
Taxi Ride$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- private transfer from Cairo to Alexandria: $70
- private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza : $35
- one transfer from airport to Cairo Giza hotels or hotels to Cairo airport: $27
- VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer from Cairo Airport: $39
- VIP Meet and Assist in Cairo Airport with Private Transfer to Cairo Hotels: $49
- VIP Cairo and SPX International Airport Meet assist transfer: $15
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo APT-HTL (CAI): $33
- Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
- Transfer from Cairo, Giza or Cairo airport to Ain Sokhna: $60
- Transfer from Cairo Int. Airport to Cairo/Giza hotels: $21
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotels in Cairo or Giza : $18
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotels in Cairo or Giza: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.91
-
Rickshaw Ride$0.57
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
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- 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 from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Cairo 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 dayCairo $18Varanasi $12
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
-
Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
- Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $8.00
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $9.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
- Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $9.00
- Giza pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise& shopping: $9.00
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner In Town$3.92
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: $17
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Cooking Class with Sona: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Ultimate 2 Days in Varanasi - Fully Guided Tour - Rooftop Dinner on Ganges: $121
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $9.09Varanasi $9.96
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.84
-
Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.47
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Private Tour in Cairo and Giza: $90
- 2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour : $80
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
- 2-Day Tour Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour: $290
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
- 3 Days Private Tour in Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria: $70
- 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $14
- Alexandria Private Day Tour From Cairo: $95
- Alexandria day tour : $75
- All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
- All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Boat Ride$0.79
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
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Mysticism of Varanasi Tour with a local including free Guided Boat Ride: $18
- Sunrise in Varanasi Tour with a local with free Ganga Aarti and Boat Ride: $18
- Marigold Boat Tour in Varanasi: $19
- Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour from Delhi by Cab: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.48Varanasi $7.45
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70
When comparing the travel costs between Cairo and Varanasi, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Cairo is in Africa and Varanasi is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Varanasi?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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.