Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Dharamsala?
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 Dharamsala or Amritsar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala or Amritsar? 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: Dharamsala or Amritsar?
Dharamsala
With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.
Amritsar
Amritsar is a holy city of the Sikh religion, named "holy pool of nectar" for the pool around the base of the Golden Temple complex. This complex is the city's main attraction, bringing pilgrims from all over to bathe in the waters of the sacred pool and visit the sacred temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Dharamsala Prices
India PricesAmritsar Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDharamsala $39Amritsar $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala is $39, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $64. 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 Dharamsala and Amritsar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $22Amritsar $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $44Amritsar $42
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Amritsar
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala or Amritsar? 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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices and Amritsar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $4.86Amritsar $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:
- VIP Amritsar Airport Transfer: Comfort & Convenience: $17
- Private Transfer from Amritsar to Amritsar Raja Sansi (ATQ) Airport: $39
- Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $84
- Private Wagah Border Drama and the Golden Temple with Transfer: $126
- Amritsar 02 days :Wagha border: Airport transfer Eng. guide: $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Amritsar?
Prices for flights to both Amritsar and Dharamsala 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 dayDharamsala $14Amritsar $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amritsar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amritsar.
- Amritsar Food Tour: $22
- Agra: Guided Street Food Tour w/ Private Transportation: $23
- Amritsar Food Tour: $25
- Amritsar Food Tour: $29
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Traditional Dinner: $45
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Dinner: $45
- Evening Tour to Sadda Pind with Dinner: $60
- Beating Retreat Ceremony, Sadda Pind and Dinner: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dharamsala $5.27Amritsar $14
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14
- McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $20
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $40
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $40
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $64
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $89
- Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $98
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $108
Tours and Activities in Amritsar
Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Agra : Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Tour With Skip-the-Line Entry: $6.83
- Guided Amritsar Village Tour: $9.40
- Walk and Explore Amritsar City: Guided Walking Tour by Foot: $14
- Agra: Agra Fort and Baby Taj Private Tour with Pickup & Drop: $15
- Village Tour in Amritsar Countryside of Punjab: $15
- Amritsar Heritage Walking Tour: $17
- Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh Guided Tour: $18
- Cultural Walk of Amritsar (2 hours guided walking tour): $19
- Real Village Tour Amritsar: $19
- Golden Temple Guided Tour (Planet Amritsar Inc.): $19
- Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh Guided Tour: $21
- Amritsar Full Day City Tour with Transportation (10 Hours): $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.27Amritsar $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Amritsar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amritsar than you might in Dharamsala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dharamsala Expensive? and Is Amritsar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Amritsar?
Amritsar has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala and Amritsar, 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.