Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Diyarbakir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Diyarbakir or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Diyarbakir and Dharamsala. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Diyarbakir or Dharamsala?
Diyarbakir
Diyarbakır is the largest city in Southeastern Turkey, located on the banks of Tigris River, which is one of two great rivers of the Middle East. The city is known especially for its old city, housed within ancient fortress walls that have been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within this fortress is a glimpse into the city's ancient history and traditional customs that remain alive today.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDiyarbakir $117Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Diyarbakir is $117, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $35. 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 Diyarbakir and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDiyarbakir $76Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDiyarbakir $152Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Diyarbakir and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Diyarbakir or Dharamsala? 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: Diyarbakir Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Diyarbakir $30Dharamsala $5.14
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Diyarbakir or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Diyarbakir 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 dayDiyarbakir $20Dharamsala $8.36
Typical Food Prices in Diyarbakir
For Diyarbakir, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dessert$0.19
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Lunch for Two$0.59
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Diyarbakir $21Dharamsala $5.57
Tours and Activities in Diyarbakir
For Diyarbakir, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- All-inclusive Private Guided Tour of Diyarbakir City: $200
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: $128
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $81
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDiyarbakir $18Dharamsala $5.57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Diyarbakir and Dharamsala, we can see that Diyarbakir is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Diyarbakir is in Europe and Dharamsala is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Diyarbakir would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Diyarbakir 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 Diyarbakir Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Diyarbakir or Dharamsala?
Diyarbakir has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Diyarbakir and Dharamsala, 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.