Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Eilat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eilat or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Eilat 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: Eilat or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEilat $140Kolkata (Calcutta) $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, 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 Eilat and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEilat $93Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEilat $186Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Eilat 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: Eilat Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eilat $13Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
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
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Eilat or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Eilat 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 dayEilat $35Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
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
- Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eilat $16Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
- Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $70
- Timna park Jeep tour adventure: $70
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Red Canyon: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Timna Park Tour from Eilat: $150
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- 02 Days Guided Private Tour of Kolkata : $225
- 2 days private tour of kolkata city and Bishnupur by car: $280
- Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $25
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Custom Private Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip w/ Optional Add ons: $148
- Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $90
- Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
- Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $76
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip by Car, Walk & Sunset Cruise Excursion Trip: $111
- Half Day Tour to the Flower Market and Howrah Bridge in Kolkata: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEilat $27Kolkata (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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eilat Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eilat or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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.