Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Dar es Salaam?
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 Dar es Salaam or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Varanasi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Varanasi?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, 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 Dar es Salaam and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Varanasi $4.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $249
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $104
- Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) Private Transfer to Dar es Salaam: $50
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Dar es salaam Airport Transfer (Private & Group): $60
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
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$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.53
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
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $33
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $31Varanasi $11
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$3.63
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: $39
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Varanasi $9.23
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour: $300
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Market & Kaole Ruins: $280
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Car Tour to Mikumi National Park for You: $270
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Visit all attractive places: $130
- Dar es Salaam City Tour Full Day Adventure with Lunch: $180
- Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $36
- Dar es Salaam City tour and Beach Leisure - 9 hours: $250
- Dar es Salaam History and Architectural Tours: $150
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$0.74
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $271
- 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 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: $121
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Varanasi Tour package: $232
- 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155
- 3 Hour Walking Tour of Buddhism in Sarnath: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Varanasi $6.91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Varanasi, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Varanasi?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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.