Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Dharamsala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dharamsala or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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 $35Kolkata (Calcutta) $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala is $35, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $23Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $46Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $5.13Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $59
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $8.34Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
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 Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Dinner Cruise on Ganges Kolkata 3Hrs: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dharamsala $5.55Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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): $24
- 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Colonial Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $20
- Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour : $28
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
- Magic Hour Tour: $37
- Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
- Kolkata Daily - A Private Tour - Explore • Engage • Enchant: $55
- Kolkata Heritage Tram Tour: $60
- Private Calcutta Tour: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.55Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Dharamsala and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kolkata (Calcutta) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dharamsala Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.