Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Haridwar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Haridwar 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 Haridwar 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: Haridwar or Dharamsala?
Haridwar
A spiritual journey is not complete without a trip to Haridwar as it is the lands of legends and tales cleansed by the Holy Ganga and regarded as the Holiest places for washing of sins. Haridwar is located on the foothills of the Himalayas making the place a truly memorable experience. After making a Haridwar Darshan, you will find most of your answers regarding the unknown and uncertainties. Rishikesh is very close to Haridwar, for waking the adrenaline rush in you. One can plan out so many activities to do in Haridwar for a fun filling vacation.
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 Photography Tours in India, The Best Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, and The Best Luxury Tours to India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHaridwar $31Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Haridwar is $31, 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 Haridwar and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHaridwar $15Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHaridwar $30Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Haridwar and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Haridwar 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: Haridwar Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Haridwar $5.30Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haridwar
Also for Haridwar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable Dehradun Airport Transfer.: $15
- Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
- Affordable transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $39
- Affordable transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $39
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $44
- Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $46
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
- Delhi To Haridwar Transfer: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Haridwar or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Haridwar 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 dayHaridwar $10Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Haridwar
For Haridwar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sattvic Traditional Cooking Classes, Rishikesh India: $35
- Rishikesh Half Day Street Food Tour: $45
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.Haridwar $9.16Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Haridwar
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Haridwar.
- Guided Haunted & Mysterious Walking Tour of Mussoorie: $13
- Guided Night Walking Tour in Rishikesh - Explore the best nightlife with a local: $13
- Experience Spiritual Culture in Rishikesh with a local - A Unique Walking Tour: $14
- Private Walking Tour in Rishikesh: $18
- Rishikesh Private Sightseeing Day Tour : $19
- Guided Food Crawl Tour of Mussoorie with a local: $25
- Haridwar Tanga Tour: $29
- Adventure trip in Chakrata : $37
- Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 1n2d: $39
- Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $45
- Rishikesh cultural sightseeing tour with Ganga Aarti: $45
- Private Kunjapuri Sunrise Tour: $49
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: $127
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $80
- 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 dayHaridwar $6.81Dharamsala $5.55
When comparing the travel costs between Haridwar and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Haridwar Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Haridwar or Dharamsala?
Haridwar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Haridwar 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.