Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Haifa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Haifa or Varanasi?
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 Haifa and Varanasi. 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: Haifa or Varanasi?
Haifa
Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Israel, The Best Cultural Tours in Israel, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHaifa $123Varanasi $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $123, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $30. 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 Haifa and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHaifa $74Varanasi $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHaifa $148Varanasi $32
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Haifa 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: Haifa Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Haifa $4.93Varanasi $4.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa
Also for Haifa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $195
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv City: $173
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $173
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.96
-
Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Haifa or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Haifa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHaifa $44Varanasi $7.14
Typical Food Prices in Haifa
For Haifa, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner$27
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner In Town$4.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
- 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
- Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
- India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Haifa $5.68Varanasi $10
Tours and Activities in Haifa
For Haifa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Romantic Walking Tour In Haifa for Couples: $290
- Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra Private Day Tour: $700
- Christianity Day Tour: Haifa Port to Nazareth and Sea of Galilee : $295
- From Tel Aviv: Caesarea, Haifa & Akko Guided Tour: $1,300
- From Tel Aviv: Northern Israel Coast Private Tour: $999
- Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $290
- Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $120
- Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Cruise to Galilee: $388
- Haifa Private Tour: $160
- Haifa, Acre & Rosh Anikra Grottos Haifa Port FullDay Shared Tour: $231
- Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $405
- Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group: $255
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Boat Ride$0.84
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $120
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,439
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $49
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $162
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHaifa $13Varanasi $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Haifa and Varanasi, we can see that Haifa is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Haifa is in Middle East 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 Haifa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Haifa 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 Haifa Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Haifa or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Haifa. When comparing the sizes of Haifa 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.