Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 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 Himachal Pradesh 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: Himachal Pradesh or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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.
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 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 PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHimachal Pradesh $502Kolkata (Calcutta) $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Himachal Pradesh is $502, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHimachal Pradesh $196Kolkata (Calcutta) $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHimachal Pradesh $392Kolkata (Calcutta) $32
Compare Hotels in Himachal Pradesh and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Himachal Pradesh 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.
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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Himachal Pradesh $43Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85
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 transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
- Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
- Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $44
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $45
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $50
- Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $59
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $62
- Affordable Chandigarh to Manali Transfer: $98
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Himachal Pradesh or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $225Kolkata (Calcutta) $23
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $26
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Alleyway Food Tour: $46
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Himachal Pradesh $108Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
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: $5.81
- Sightseeing around Mussoorie: $7.67
- Discover Colonial Trails of Shimla 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Ashram Tour By Walk in Rishikesh (Private Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural 2 Hour Shimla Walking Tour : $12
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Nature Walk of Chandigarh( 2 Hours Walking Tour): $12
- Nainital Walking Tour: $12
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour Nainital (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Guided Night Walking Tour in Rishikesh - Explore the best nightlife with a local: $13
- Chandigarh Walking Tour : $13
- Rishikesh Walking Tour : $13
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- 02 Days Private Kolkata Tour with Lunch : $179
- A Unique Experience of Kolkata Public Transport System: $98
- Capturing the City of Joy; Full Day Kolkata Street Photography Tour: $85
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
- Custom Private Kolkata Sightseeing with English speaking Guide: $75
- Durga Puja 2025 Tours -The Festival Enjoyed Close Up: $75
- Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $99
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Gangasagar Pilgrimage Day Tour from Kolkata: $147
- Half Day Private Tour of Kolkata with a Local Companion: $69
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $49
- Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHimachal Pradesh $21Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Himachal Pradesh and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Himachal Pradesh is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Himachal Pradesh or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Himachal Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Kolkata (Calcutta). When comparing the sizes of Himachal Pradesh 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.
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.