A Travel Price Comparison for India Haridwar vs. Goa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Haridwar or Goa?

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 Goa. 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 Goa?

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.

Goa

Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.

A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.

This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Goa or Haridwar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Haridwar is $31, while the average daily cost in Goa is $32. 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 Goa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Haridwar $15
    Goa $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Haridwar $30
    Goa $30
Compare Hotels in Haridwar and Goa

Looking for a hotel in Haridwar or Goa? 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.

Hotels in Haridwar


Hotels in Goa


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Haridwar $5.30
    Goa $5.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haridwar

Also for Haridwar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
  • Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
  • Private Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $44
  • Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $46
  • Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
  • Delhi To Haridwar Transfer: $75
  • Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
  • Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
  • Affordable transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $39
  • Affordable transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $39
  • Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
  • Affordable Dehradun Airport Transfer.: $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Goa

Also for Goa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Mumbai to Goa Transfer: $190
  • Pune to Goa transfer: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Haridwar or Goa?

Prices for flights to both Goa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Haridwar $10
    Goa $9.77

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Haridwar $9.16
    Goa $12

Tours and Activities in Haridwar

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Haridwar.

  • Private 3-Day Tour from Dehradun to Mussoorie Hill Station: $277
  • Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 1n2d: $39
  • Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 2n3d: $71
  • Adventure trip in Chakrata : $37
  • Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $45
  • Day tour Haridwar Rishikesh Ganges: $72
  • Discovering Dehradun: A Full Day Guided Tour: $61
  • Divine Excursion: Gurudwara & Temple Tour from Dehradun: $61
  • Experience Spiritual Culture in Rishikesh with a local - A Unique Walking Tour: $14
  • From Delhi: 2-Day Tour of Rishikesh and Haridwar: $337
  • From Delhi: Same Day Haridwar Guided Tour: $94
  • Guided Food Crawl Tour of Mussoorie with a local: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Haridwar $6.81
    Goa $12


When comparing the travel costs between Haridwar and Goa, we can see that Goa 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 Goa Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Haridwar or Goa?

Goa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Haridwar. When comparing the sizes of Haridwar and Goa, 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.