Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Hyderabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hyderabad or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hyderabad and Dharamsala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Hyderabad or Dharamsala?
Hyderabad
Hyderabad, located in Southern India, is the capital of the state of Telangana. It is a city rich with history and tradition as well as booming in the technology industry, hosting the India headquarters for both Microsoft and Google. In addition to many upscale restaurants and shops, Hyderabad is also home to important historic sites and beautiful landmarks.
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 2-Week Tours in India, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHyderabad $50Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Hyderabad is $50, 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 Hyderabad and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHyderabad $21Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHyderabad $42Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Hyderabad and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Hyderabad 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: Hyderabad Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hyderabad $13Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hyderabad
Also for Hyderabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hyderabad Airport Transfer: $16
- Mumbai/Goa/Kochi/Bangalore - Private One-Way Transfer: $24
- Downtown hotels to Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi Airport (HYD) - Departure Transfer: $39
- Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi Airport(HYD) to Downtown hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- US$ 40 Safe Transfer Airport To City Hotels In A Private Car Upto 3pax: $43
- Downtown to Hyderabad Airport (HYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
- Private Transfer from Rajiv Gandhi (HYD) Airport to Hyderabad: $62
- Private Transfer from Hyderabad to Rajiv Gandhi (HYD) Airport: $62
- Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi Airport (HYD) to Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $78
- Private Transfer Round Trip Downtown to Hyderabad Airport: $87
- 6-hours Golconda Fort & Qutub Shahi Tombs Tour with transfer: $97
- Full Day Ramoji Film City Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Hyderabad or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Hyderabad 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 dayHyderabad $18Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hyderabad
For Hyderabad, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hyderabad Evening Tour with Boat Ride, Laser Show & Dinner: $97
- Private Half Day Tour: Dinner cruise, Old city shopping ride & Laser show: $175
- Cooking Demonstration of Ethnic Hyderabadi Cuisine at Private Residence (Dinner): $201
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hyderabad $16Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Hyderabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hyderabad.
- Charminar Skip the line Entry Ticket: $11
- Night Walk Hyderabad (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Hyderabad (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Spiritual Trails of Hyderabad (2 Hours Guided Temples Tour): $17
- Night Walk Hyderabad (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $17
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Hyderabad (2 Hours Guided Tour): $17
- Heritage Walking Tour of Old City and Charminar: $45
- Private Half-Day Tour of Hyderabad Including Sound & Light Show: $48
- Hussain Sagar Lake Private Walking Tour in Hyderabad : $49
- Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Hyderabad: $52
- Golconda Fort & Hyderabad City Tour: $53
- Hyderabads Grand Heritage City Tour: $53
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHyderabad $11Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hyderabad and Dharamsala, we can see that Hyderabad is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Hyderabad would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hyderabad than you might in Dharamsala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hyderabad Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hyderabad or Dharamsala?
Hyderabad has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Hyderabad 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.