Which place is cheaper, Mumbai 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 Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dharamsala or Mumbai? 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 Mumbai?
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.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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 PricesMumbai Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDharamsala $39Mumbai $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Dharamsala is $39, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $83. 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 Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDharamsala $22Mumbai $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDharamsala $44Mumbai $64
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala or Mumbai? 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 Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dharamsala $4.86Mumbai $7.37
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 Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Mumbai Airport BOM Private Transfer to Mumbai City Central/Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Mumbai to your Accommodation in Pune: $24
- Mumbai Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Easy & Safe: $24
- Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $25
- Mumbai Airport(BOM) to Mumbai Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Guided Tour in Kanheri Cave with Transfers: $35
- Private Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $35
- Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $39
- Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $55
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai 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 $14Mumbai $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour with Mumbai Sightseeing Tour including AC vehicles: $19
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Evening Bazaar Walk: $29
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $31
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Mumbai Street Food Tour: $42
- Daily Mumbai Street Food Tour : $52
- Private Mumbai Market Tour and Cooking Class With an Expert: $52
- Private Vegetarian Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai: $53
- Private Market Tour and Vegetarian Cooking Class in Mumbai: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dharamsala $5.27Mumbai $2.52
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 Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $89
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $40
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $40
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $108
- McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $20
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
- Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $98
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $64
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.69
- Dharavi Slum Walking Tour: Daily Life in Asia's Largest Slum: $5.77
- Dharavi Slum Tour - See the real Slum with a Local Guide: $7.33
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra City Tour with Fatehpur Sikri: $7.96
- Best Slum Tour Dharavi Small Group with a Local : $8.37
- "Private Mumbai Dharavi Slum Tour": $9.24
- Exploring Dharavi: Mumbai's Walking Slum Tour: $9.82
- Dharavi slum tour in Mumbai by Female tour guides of the slum: $9.82
- Mumbai Slum Tour –Visit Dharavi with Local Guide : $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDharamsala $5.27Mumbai $3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai 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 Mumbai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Mumbai?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 650 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala and Mumbai, 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.