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

Should you visit Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh 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: Himachal Pradesh or Goa?

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.

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 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.


Which place is cheaper, Goa or Himachal Pradesh?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Himachal Pradesh is $28, 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 Himachal Pradesh and Goa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Himachal Pradesh $18
    Goa $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Himachal Pradesh $36
    Goa $30
Compare Hotels in Himachal Pradesh and Goa

Looking for a hotel in Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Himachal Pradesh $3.83
    Goa $5.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Himachal Pradesh

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

  • Shimla Thermal Resorts to Delhi Airport DEL -Departure Transfer: $92
  • Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
  • Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $62
  • Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
  • Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $46
  • Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
  • Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
  • Private Transfer from Chandigarh City to Chandigarh (IXC) Airport: $37
  • From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
  • Delhi to Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
  • Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $54
  • Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Goa

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Himachal Pradesh or Goa?

Prices for flights to both Goa 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 day
    Himachal Pradesh $7.08
    Goa $9.77

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Himachal Pradesh $4.45
    Goa $12

Tours and Activities in Himachal Pradesh

For Himachal Pradesh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private 3-Day Tour from Dehradun to Mussoorie Hill Station: $277
  • 2 Day The Hipster Chandigarh Experience: $106
  • 2-Days Private tour to Shimla: $95
  • Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 1n2d: $39
  • Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 2n3d: $71
  • Adventure trip in Chakrata : $37
  • Best of the Chandigarh (Guided Full Day City Tour): $131
  • Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $45
  • Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $25
  • Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $25
  • Chandigarh Private Full Day Tour : $65
  • Chandigarh Walking Tour : $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Himachal Pradesh $4.41
    Goa $12


When comparing the travel costs between Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh Expensive? and Is Goa Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Himachal Pradesh or Goa?

Himachal Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Goa. When comparing the sizes of Himachal Pradesh 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.