A Travel Price Comparison for India Haridwar vs. Kolkata (Calcutta) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Haridwar or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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 Kolkata (Calcutta). 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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.

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 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, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Haridwar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Haridwar Prices
    India Prices
    Kolkata (Calcutta) Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Haridwar $37
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $46

The average daily cost (per person) in Haridwar is $37, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $46. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Haridwar $15
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Haridwar $30
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $32
Compare Hotels in Haridwar and Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Haridwar 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.

Hotels in Haridwar


Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta)


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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Haridwar $5.11
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haridwar

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

  • Affordable Dehradun Airport Transfer.: $15
  • Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
  • Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
  • Affordable transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $39
  • Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
  • Private Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $42
  • Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $45
  • Delhi To Haridwar Transfer: $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
  • Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
  • Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $57
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
  • Kolkata Airport (CCU) Private Transfer to Kolkata City/Hotels: $30
  • Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Haridwar or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $17
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $24

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: $50

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
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Haridwar $8.84
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14

Tours and Activities in Haridwar

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

  • Sightseeing around Mussoorie: $7.80
  • Ashram Tour By Walk in Rishikesh (Private Tour): $12
  • 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: $13
  • Mussoorie Walking Tour: $14
  • Mussoorie Walking Tour - Hathipaon to Clouds End: $18
  • Private Walking Tour in Rishikesh: $18
  • Guided Food Walking Tour in Rishikesh with a local - Best of Culture & History : $24
  • Ganga Aarti Ceremony Tour at Har Ki Pauri Ghat: $25
  • Beautiful Swiss Camping Experience in Rishikesh with Rafting: $25
  • Haridwar Tanga Tour: Visit -Temples, Ashrams, Ghats & Ganga Aarti: $29
  • Rishikesh Tour guide : $30

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
  • Audio Guided Tour of Maidan – Calcutta Sports Walk: $6.12
  • Capturing the City of Joy; Full Day Kolkata Street Photography Tour: $85
  • Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $38
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $36
  • Custom Private Kolkata Sightseeing with English speaking Guide: $59
  • Day Tour Of Kolkata: $24
  • Downtown Kolkata Private Tour (By Air Conditioned Car): $213
  • Experience Kolkata in 2 Days like never before - Private Tour: $166
  • Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $100
  • Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $108

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Haridwar $6.57
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.97


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Haridwar and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kolkata (Calcutta) is more expensive. And not only is Haridwar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Haridwar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Haridwar 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kolkata (Calcutta) than you might in Haridwar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Haridwar Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Haridwar or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Haridwar. When comparing the sizes of Haridwar 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.

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