Which place is cheaper, Goa or Himachal Pradesh?
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 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.
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Himachal Pradesh Prices
India PricesGoa Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHimachal Pradesh $502Goa $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Himachal Pradesh is $502, while the average daily cost in Goa is $36. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHimachal Pradesh $196Goa $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHimachal Pradesh $392Goa $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Himachal Pradesh $43Goa $5.02
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: $235
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $45
- Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $59
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $50
- Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $44
- Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
- From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $139
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $125
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $62
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
- Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Goa
Also for Goa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pune to Goa transfer: $185
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
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Food Meals for one dayHimachal Pradesh $225Goa $15
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:
- Simple Sattvic Cooking Classes in Rishikesh - Cook & Eat ! : $50
- South Indian Cooking Class in Rishikesh: Cook & Eat !: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Himachal Pradesh $108Goa $11
Tours and Activities in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Nights / 3 Days Rishikesh to Mahavatar Babaji Cave Tour: $251
- 3 Day Village Homestay Experience with Local Guide from Shimla: $116
- 3 Days Luxury Himachal Tour : Ex-Delhi to Jibhi & Tirthan Valley: $173
- Adventure Activity ATV RIDE 2.25 Kms RZR 570: $35
- Adventure Tour ATV Ride 3 Kms - RZR 570: $44
- All Inclusive Sunrise Taj Mahal Private Tour from Delhi by Car : $107
- Ashram Tour By Walk in Rishikesh (Private Tour): $12
- Best of the Chandigarh (Guided Full Day City Tour): $124
- Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $50
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $23
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $23
- Chandigarh Private Full Day Tour : $65
Tours and Activities in Goa
For Goa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Agra: Private Taj Mahal and Agra Local City Tour By Tuk-Tuk: $33
- Agra: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Skip-the-Line Tour-All Inclusive: $6.83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHimachal Pradesh $21Goa $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Himachal Pradesh and Goa, we can see that Himachal Pradesh is more expensive. And not only is Goa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Goa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Goa 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 Himachal Pradesh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Himachal Pradesh than you might in Goa.
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.
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.