Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Delhi or Sapa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Sapa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Delhi or Sapa?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $45Sapa $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $45, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $36. 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 Delhi and Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Sapa $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Sapa $24
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Delhi or Sapa? 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: Delhi Hotel Prices and Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.28Sapa $9.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
-
Taxi to Airport$1.91
-
Subway$0.38
-
Uber Cab$0.96
-
Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
-
Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Delhi to Jaipur transfer via Bharatpur and Ranthambore park visit: $300
- 3-Days Delhi and Varanasi Tour by Express Train.Includes,Hotel Transfers.: $275
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Corbett National Park with Brunch: $224
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $189
- Private Transfers Delhi To Dehradun Drop: $184
- Evening Delhi city tour with pickup transfer: $183
- 3-Day City Tour of Old and New Delhi with Airport Transfers: $180
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Agra with Transfer & Ticket Included : $179
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Rishikesh via Haridwar: $178
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Agra via Vrindavan & Mathura: $166
- One Way Delhi To Udaipur Transfer: $160
- Private Transfers Delhi To Ajmer Drop: $147
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
-
Short Motorbike Ride$1.20
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa and Delhi 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 dayDelhi $12Sapa $16
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
-
McDonalds$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $20
- Old Delhi Food Tour with local, A must for Indian culinary lover!: $21
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Old Delhi Heritage Sightseeing | Walking Tour | Street Food Tour: $34
- Old Delhi Food Tour: A Night Time Feast: $36
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $43
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $45
- Vegetarian : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $46
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Delhi Kabul Cooking Class: $50
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
-
Casual Dinner (for One)$2.72
-
Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.20
-
Coffee (for Two)$2.40
-
Western Dinner (for Two)$7.96
-
Pho Soup$0.60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Sapa $6.13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Agra Tour From Delhi with Fatehpur Sikri & bird Sanctuary: $130
- 3 Day Golden Triangle Tour from Delhi: $132
- 3 Days Golden Triangle Tour from Delhi: $205
- 3 Days Private Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Triangle Tour : $147
- 6 Hours: Delhi Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $45
- All Inclusive: Same day Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi : $50
- Bharatpur Birding adventure from Delhi: $159
- Delhi : Private Day Tour Of Tajmahal And Shopping At Agra: $100
- Delhi Agra and Jaipur 5 Days Golden Triangle Tour From New Delhi: $220
- Delhi Evening City Tour with Guide: $53
- Full Day Old And New Delhi City Tour- All Inclusive : $38
- Golden Triangle Tour 3 Days: $267
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
CatCat Village Tax$1.60
-
Ta Phin Village Tax$0.80
-
Walking Stick$0.20
-
Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.67Sapa $8.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
-
Two Beers$1.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Delhi and Sapa, we can see that Delhi is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Delhi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Delhi than you might in Sapa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Sapa?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Delhi and Sapa, 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.