Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Darjiling or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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.
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.
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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.
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Darjiling and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kolkata (Calcutta) 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.