Which place is cheaper, Bikaner or Dharamsala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dharamsala or Bikaner?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala 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: Dharamsala or Bikaner?
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.
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 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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDharamsala $35Bikaner $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala and Bikaner in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $23Bikaner $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $46Bikaner $42
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Bikaner
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala 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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices and Bikaner Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $5.13Bikaner $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
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:
- One-Way Transfer: Jaipur/Pushker/Jodhpur/Bikaner: $36
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jodhpur: $48
- Private Transfers Bikaner To Jaipur Drop: $55
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jaisalmer: $60
- Private Transfers Bikaner To Mandawa Drop: $61
- Private Transfers Bikaner To Jodhpur Drop: $92
- Self Guided Bikaner City Tour With One Way Transfer To Jaipur : $108
- Bikaner Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Bikaner?
Prices for flights to both Bikaner 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 $8.34Bikaner $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dharamsala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dharamsala.
- Flavors of Dharamshala: 2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour: $26
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.Dharamsala $5.55Bikaner $14
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local - Full Day Guided Tour: $127
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $80
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $299
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Guided Andretta Artists' VIllage Tour: $98
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
Tours and Activities in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover Bikaner in Nightlights -2 Hours Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Walking Tour of Bikaner(2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Bikaner (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour) : $13
- Discover Bikaner in Nightlights (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Bikaner (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour) : $13
- Explore Bikaner in Nightlights (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Heritage Trails of Bikaner (2 Hour Guide Walking Tour): $14
- Bikaner 2 Hour Guided Street Food Tasting Tour: $25
- Bikaner 2 Hour Guided Street Food Tasting Tour: $25
- Royal Trails of Bikaner (Guided Half Day City Tour): $74
- Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Junagarh Fort & Temples: $78
- Highlights of Bikaner, Guided Half-Day Car Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.55Bikaner $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Bikaner, we can see that Bikaner 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 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 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 Bikaner Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Bikaner?
Bikaner has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala 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.