Which place is cheaper, Delhi or Dharamsala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dharamsala or Delhi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala or Delhi? 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 Delhi?
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.
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.
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 $35Delhi $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala is $35, while the average daily cost in Delhi is $45. 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 Delhi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $23Delhi $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $46Delhi $46
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Delhi
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala or Delhi? 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 Delhi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $5.13Delhi $5.28
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
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Taxi to Airport$1.91
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Subway$0.38
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Uber Cab$0.96
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
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Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Taj Mahal Sunrise All Inclusive Tour with Transfers : $7.00
- Private Guided Delhi Shopping Tour with Transfers: $8.45
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- Private Taj Mahal Guided Day Trip from Delhi with Transfers: $13
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotel to Airport: $14
- Qutub Minar Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $15
- Delhi Private Airport Transfer: $16
- Humayun's Tomb Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $18
- Delhi - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Delhi Airport to Hotel: $20
- Delhi International Airport to hotel private transfer: $22
- Private Transfer From Delhi Hotel to Airport: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Delhi?
Prices for flights to both Delhi 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 $8.34Delhi $12
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
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour- All Inclusive : $12
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $20
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Old Delhi Heritage Sightseeing | Walking Tour | Street Food Tour: $34
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $35
- Old Delhi Food Tour: A Night Time Feast: $36
- Connaught Place Street shopping & food tour in Delhi: $39
- Discover Old 4-Hour Evening Walking Tour includes Guide & Dinner: $40
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dharamsala $5.55Delhi $13
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Same Day Agra Tour by Gatiman Express Train With Multiple Options: $2.80
- Same Day Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Tour by Car : $3.43
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $4.00
- Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Baby Taj Day Tour from Delhi by Car: $4.00
- Taj Mahal Agra Same Day Tour from Delhi By Private Car: $4.90
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $5.00
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Tour from Delhi with 5* Lunch: $5.00
- Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi : $5.00
- 3-Days Private Golden Triangle Tour to Agra & Jaipur from Delhi: $5.00
- Private Taj Mahal Day tour from Delhi by Train - All Inclusive: $5.00
- Private Old and New Delhi - Best of Delhi 8 Hours Tour: $5.00
- Skip-The-Line Sunrise Taj Mahal Private Tour with Multi-Options: $5.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.55Delhi $8.67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Delhi, we can see that Delhi 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 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 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 Delhi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Delhi?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 560 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala and Delhi, 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.