Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Himachal Pradesh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh 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: Himachal Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Himachal Pradesh
With a name that translates to "abode of snow," Himachal Pradesh is a state in north-western India with opportunities for experiencing the Himalaya mountain range. Visitors come to the region to experience the mountain scenery, engage in Tibetan culture, and learn about the region's ancient past.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in India, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours in India, and The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHimachal Pradesh $28Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Himachal Pradesh is $28, 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 Himachal Pradesh and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHimachal Pradesh $18Dharamsala $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHimachal Pradesh $36Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Himachal Pradesh and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Himachal Pradesh 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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Himachal Pradesh $3.83Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Himachal Pradesh
Also for Himachal Pradesh, 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
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh City to Chandigarh (IXC) Airport: $37
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $63
- From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Himachal Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Himachal Pradesh 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 dayHimachal Pradesh $7.08Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, 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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Himachal Pradesh $4.45Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tea Top Adventure Activities: $6.14
- Sightseeing around Mussoorie: $8.10
- Mussoorie Nature Walk Tour: $8.53
- Mussoorie Walking Tour - Hathipaon to Clouds End: $9.22
- Mussoorie Walking Tour: $9.84
- Shimla Private Guided Walk Tour exploring the colonial trails: $12
- Discover Colonial Trails of Shimla 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour: $12
- hilloferry - a guided cycling tour: $12
- Guided Haunted & Mysterious Walking Tour of Mussoorie: $13
- Heritage & Cultural 2 Hour Shimla Walking Tour : $13
- Nature Walk of Mussoorie (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHimachal Pradesh $4.41Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Himachal Pradesh and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Himachal Pradesh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Himachal Pradesh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Himachal Pradesh 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 Dharamsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dharamsala than you might in Himachal Pradesh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Himachal Pradesh Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Himachal Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Himachal Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Himachal Pradesh 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.