Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Ephesus?
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 Ephesus or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Varanasi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ephesus or Varanasi?
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Ephesus Prices
Turkey PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $116Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $116, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Ephesus and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $48Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $96Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Varanasi? 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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $35Varanasi $4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer Kusadasi To/From Izmir Airport (Price for ONE WAY): $89
- Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $105
- Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $198
- Transfer: $70
- Private VIP Transfer For/To ADB Airport: $163
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $158
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $62
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $54
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi hotels: $54
- Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $62
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $97
- Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk with transfers: $71
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $44
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $11
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Ephesus 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 dayEphesus $40Varanasi $11
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.11
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Dessert$0.12
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.40
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Snacks$0.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus, Selcuk City Stroll, and Street Food Tour: $104
- Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals: $229
- Kusadasi Selcuk Ephesus Gourmet and Street Food Tour: $233
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $296
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$3.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $40Varanasi $9.20
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- "private Ephesus tours "" wholesaler Shop Tours ""from cruise port Kusadasi ": $50
- 2 Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi or Selcuk: $160
- 2 Days Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour: $204
- 2 Days Ephesus and Istanbul Tour from Kusadasi and Istanbul Ports: $292
- 2 Hour Turkish Bath Experience in Kusadasi: $20
- 3-Hour Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses Tour from Kusadasi: $20
- 3-Hour Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses, Cruiser Only: $25
- ALL COVERED AND INCLUSIVE: EPHESUS & ARTEMIS TOUR for cuisers: $110
- ALL INCLUDED: Ephesus Tour for Cruisers including ENTRY TICKETS: $55
- ALL INCLUSIVE EPHESUS TOUR For CRUISERS Included–Ticket & Lunch: $75
- ALL INCLUSIVE Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses tour with LUNCH: $149
- ALL INCLUSIVE Private Guided Tour For Your Family Lunch & Entrances are INCLUDED: $159
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.73
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $268
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Private Varanasi Tour Package: $160
- 3 Days Spiritual Tour in Varanasi: $290
- 3 Days Varanasi Tour package: $229
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $10Varanasi $6.89
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-Line: Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting: $21
- LGBTQ+ Friendly Ephesus Shore Excursion & Local Wine Tasting: $30
- Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting + Lunch - Opt Turkish Bath: $35
- FOR CRUISERS:Kusadasi Port Private Wine Tasting and Ephesus Tour: $45
- POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
- Wine Tasting-Village Shore Excursion from Kusadasi Port: $50
- Sirince Village and Wine Tour with Artemis Temple: $57
- Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours: $70
- Private Ephesus and Sirince Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $92
- Ephesus & Şirince Village with Lunch& Wine Tasting (Fixed Price): $115
- Private Ephesus Tour & Wine Tasting at Boutique Winery & Lunch: $149
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $176
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Varanasi, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ephesus is in Europe and Varanasi 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Varanasi, 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.