Which place is cheaper, Bikaner or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Bikaner?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Bikaner? 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: Darjiling or Bikaner?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
Bikaner
Bikaner is located in the Rajasthan state in northwest India. This city is where the headquarters of Bikaner District and Division are located. The city was founded in 1486 by Rao Bika, and has a population of about 645,000 people.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Bikaner $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Bikaner is $48. 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 Darjiling and Bikaner in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Bikaner $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Bikaner $42
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Bikaner
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Bikaner? 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: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Bikaner Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.48Bikaner $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
- Private Transfers Darjeeling - Gangtok Drop: $98
- Private Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra: $55
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bikaner
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bikaner:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bikaner
Also for Bikaner, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bikaner Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $153
- Self Guided Bikaner City Tour With One Way Transfer To Jaipur : $108
- Private Transfers Bikaner To Jodhpur Drop: $92
- Private Transfers Bikaner To Mandawa Drop: $61
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jaisalmer: $60
- Private Transfers Bikaner To Jaipur Drop: $55
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jodhpur: $48
- One-Way Transfer: Jaipur/Pushker/Jodhpur/Bikaner: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Bikaner?
Prices for flights to both Bikaner and Darjiling 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 dayDarjiling $14Bikaner $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Bikaner (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour with Local): $24
- Rajasthani Cooking Class in Bikaner: $172
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Bikaner $14
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- 5-Day Private Tour of Gangtok and Darjeeling: $246
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Best of Darjeeling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Darjeeling City Tour with Uber: $65
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $147
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $147
- Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $117
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Gangtok (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
Tours and Activities in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 - Days Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jaipur and Agra Tour: $419
- 10 - Days Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jaipur and Agra Tour: $419
- 12 Days Rajasthan Fort & Places Tour: $1,316
- 2 - Day Mandawa Tour From Jaipur With Bikaner Drop: $120
- 6 Days Magnificent Rajasthan Tour: $466
- 8 - Day Rajasthan Tour, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Bikaner: $359
- 8 - Day Rajasthan Tour, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer & Bikaner: $419
- 8 - Days Desert Tour of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner: $538
- 8 - Days Desert Tour of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner: $299
- 8 Days Rajasthan Tour - Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer & Bikaner: $610
- A Private Guided Tour in Bikaner: $131
- Bikaner 2 Hour Guided Street Food Tasting Tour: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.77Bikaner $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Bikaner, we can see that Bikaner is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Bikaner would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bikaner than you might in Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Bikaner Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Bikaner?
Bikaner has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling and Bikaner, 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.