Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Varanasi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Helsinki or Varanasi?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €164Varanasi €27
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is €27. 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 Helsinki and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Varanasi €12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Varanasi €24
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Varanasi €3.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $156
- The Executive Helsinki Transfer*****: $264
- Private VIP Transfer in Helsinki: $78
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Port to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $68
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Hotels to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $68
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $68
- Private Transfer from Helsinki City Hotels to Kotka Cruise Port: $166
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki Port: $68
- Private Transfer To or From Helsinki Airport and City: $114
- Private Luxury Transfer in Helsinki: $191
- Private Airport Transfer by VIP car in Helsinki region: $157
- PREMIUM Airport & City Transfers Helsinki*****: $229
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€0.73
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Rickshaw Ride€0.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $11
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €59Varanasi €9.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Helsinki Authentic Walking Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $120
- From Moose & Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $170
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $187
- Authentic Lake Sauna, Swim and Dinner with Locals near Helsinki: $288
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€3.14
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
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 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.Helsinki €27Varanasi €7.97
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $106
- 4 Hour Best of Helsinki Tour from Cruise Port: $78
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $23
- A Self-Guided Tour of Helsinki's Oodi Central Library: $12
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $12
- A Walking Tour Through WWI Land Fortifications: $294
- Best of Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours): $68
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
- Cruise Friendly Helsinki Tour: $83
- Day to Porvoo from Medieval Old Town Guided Tour: $117
- Deluxe Helsinki Shore Excursion from Cruise Ship Port: $116
- Discover Helsinki City Walk - Multiple Tours Daily: $23
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€0.64
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”: $269
- 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 Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 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: $120
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Spiritual Tour in Varanasi: $291
- 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155
- 3 Hour Walking Tour of Buddhism in Sarnath: $32
- 3 Hour Yoga Experience on the Ghats in Varanasi: $96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Varanasi €5.97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Varanasi, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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.