Which place is cheaper, Chandigarh or Dharamsala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dharamsala or Chandigarh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala or Chandigarh? 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 Chandigarh?
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.
Chandigarh
As India's first planned city, Chandigarh is a city very distinct from the rest of the country. Much of its architecture is very modern and sits against a backdrop of the Shivalik Hills. Some of the best known attractions of Chandigarh include its rock garden, rose garden, and Sukhna Lake.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDharamsala $35Chandigarh $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala is $35, while the average daily cost in Chandigarh is $42. 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 Chandigarh in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $23Chandigarh $18
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $46Chandigarh $36
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Chandigarh
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala or Chandigarh? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $5.13Chandigarh $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chandigarh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chandigarh:
- Chandigarh to Chandigarh Airport Transfer: $16
- Chandigarh Airport Transfer: $25
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $27
- One-Way Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $36
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh City to Chandigarh (IXC) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $54
- From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
- Delhi to Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Private Transfer to/from Chandigarh and Amritsar: $71
- From Amritsar: Amritsar to Chandigarh Transfer: $80
- Affordable Chandigarh to Manali Transfer: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Chandigarh?
Prices for flights to both Chandigarh 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDharamsala $8.34Chandigarh $15
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dharamsala $5.55Chandigarh $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): $13
- Walking the Spiritual Path (Guided 2-Hour Dharamshala Tour): $18
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $80
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $96
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
Tours and Activities in Chandigarh
Here are a few actual costs in Chandigarh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Nature Walk of Chandigarh( 2 Hours Walking Tour): $13
- Chandigarh Walking Tour : $14
- Walking Tour of Chandigarh City ( 2 Hour Guided Experience): $14
- Chandigarh Nature Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Experience): $14
- Chandigarh Walking Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
- Nature Walk of Chandigarh( 2 Hours Walking Tour): $17
- Explore Chandigarh in Nightlights (3 Hours Guided Tour): $24
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $25
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $25
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $34
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $34
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train: $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.55Chandigarh $8.19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Chandigarh, we can see that Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Chandigarh?
Chandigarh has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala and Chandigarh, 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.