A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Agra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Agra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Agra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Agra?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $53, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 Islamabad and Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $21
    Agra $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $42
    Agra $28
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Agra? 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 Islamabad


Hotels in Agra


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.70
    Agra $9.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad Private Door to Door Airport Transfer: $54
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

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

  • Private transfer Agra to Varnashi: $246
  • Private Transfer- Agra city to Delhi via Mathura: $169
  • Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
  • Transfer from Agra or Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $140
  • Private Transfer Agra to Varanasi by Car: $130
  • Agra to Delhi airport transfer by air-conditioned car: $130
  • Private Transfer To Jaipur From Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri And Abhaneri: $120
  • Private Transfer from Agra to Jaipur with Fatehpur Sikri: $120
  • Private One-Way Transfer: Delhi, Agra & Jaipur: $119
  • A Taste of Agra for Foodies with Private Transfer: $114
  • Agra to Sawai Madhopur drop Private Transfers En route Stops: $109
  • Private One Way Transfer from Agra to Lucknow: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $26
    Agra $24

Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $1.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agra's Tea demonstration & Food Tour: $15
  • Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
  • Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $20
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Agra Street Food Tour and Sadar Bazar Walking Tour: $30
  • Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
  • Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $38
  • Cooking Demonstration + Meals and interaction Workshop: $38
  • Seth Gali Bazaar Walk with Lavish on table barbecue dinner: $38
  • Story of Spices- A Food Tour of Agra: $40
  • Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $41
  • Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.51
    Agra $17

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $90
  • Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $135
  • Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $200
  • Discover Taxila Private City Tour of World Heritage Unesco Sites: $95
  • Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
  • Explore Takht I Bahi and Peshawar Full Day Tour from Islamabad: $160
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
  • From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
  • Full Day Islamabad & Taxila UNESCO Site Tour: $92
  • Full Day Islamabad Guided City Tour: $100

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $6.32
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $16

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • "Taj Mahal Ticket & Guide: $14
  • 1 Day Agra and 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour from Agra: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
  • 1 Day Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Agra with Fatehpur Sikri: $90
  • 11-Hour Agra Day Tour : Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal: $55
  • 2 Day Golden Triangle Private Tour From Agra: $207
  • 2 Day Vrindavan Temples and Myths Tour with a Local Guide: $43
  • 2 Day: Jaipur Tour from Agra with 5 Star Hotel & Drop at Delhi: $216
  • 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85
  • 2 Days Private Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Overnight Tour: $120
  • 2 Days Taj Mahal Agra Tour with Fatehpur Sikri From Delhi: $153
  • 2 Days Taj Mahal Private Tour and Hidden Gems: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.89
    Agra $8.48


When comparing the travel costs between Islamabad and Agra, we can see that Islamabad 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 Islamabad Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Agra?

Agra has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Agra, 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.