Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad or Amritsar?
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 Amritsar 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 Amritsar?
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.
Amritsar
Amritsar is a holy city of the Sikh religion, named "holy pool of nectar" for the pool around the base of the Golden Temple complex. This complex is the city's main attraction, bringing pilgrims from all over to bathe in the waters of the sacred pool and visit the sacred temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, and The Best Photography Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Amritsar $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $54. 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 Amritsar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Amritsar $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Amritsar $46
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Amritsar
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Amritsar? 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Amritsar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Amritsar $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:
- Private Wagah Border Drama and the Golden Temple with Transfer: $151
- Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $98
- Airport/Hotel Transfer to Chandigarh Airport/Hotel: $71
- Chandigarh to Amritsar Transfer: $71
- From Amritsar Airport Transfer: $28
- Amritsar Airport Transfer: $12
- Affordable Amritsar airport transfer: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Amritsar?
Prices for flights to both Amritsar 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
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Food Meals for one dayIslamabad $15Amritsar $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amritsar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amritsar.
- Amritsar Food Tour: $22
- Flavors of Amritsar (2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour Walk): $24
- Amritsar Food Tour: $31
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Traditional Dinner: $45
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Dinner: $45
- Indo-Pak Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border & Dinner: $60
- Evening Tour to Sadda Pind with Dinner: $67
- Beating Retreat Ceremony, Sadda Pind and Dinner: $71
- Private Farm-Fresh Punjabi Cooking Class in Amritsar: $136
- Sadda Pind With Lunch Or Dinner From Amritsar: $186
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Amritsar $15
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
Tours and Activities in Amritsar
Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5-hour Amritsar city tour with a guide and local transport: $83
- Amritsar 02 days Tour: $216
- Amritsar 1 Day Guided Tour-Golden Temple, Jalliawala Bagh, Wagah: $54
- Amritsar 1 Day Sightseeing with Wagah Border: $36
- Amritsar 1 Day Tour (Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border & Shopping): $39
- Amritsar 1 Night / 2 Days Tour: $67
- Amritsar : Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh Private Tour: $36
- Amritsar City Tour: $41
- Amritsar City Tour ( EXCLUDING WAGAH BORDER) : $55
- Amritsar City Tour ( Including Wagah Border Ceremony): $60
- Amritsar City Tour with Wagah Border and Sadda Pind Village: $101
- Amritsar Expeditions (Historical Heritage Walk and Full Day Tour): $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Amritsar $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Amritsar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Amritsar:
- Pub Crawl Amritsar (3 hours pub hopping tour): $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Amritsar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amritsar than you might in Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Amritsar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Amritsar?
Amritsar has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Amritsar, 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.
When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Amritsar?
Islamabad has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Amritsar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Amritsar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amritsar throughout the year.
It's very hot in Amritsar this time of the year. Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Amritsar. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Amritsar fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amritsar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amritsar receives 215 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Amritsar. Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Amritsar 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Autumn?
Both Amritsar and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Amritsar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Amritsar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Amritsar fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Amritsar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Amritsar during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Amritsar receives 252 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Amritsar 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Winter?
Both Amritsar and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amritsar year-round.
In the winter, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Amritsar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Amritsar averages at about 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the winter, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amritsar receives 181 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Amritsar 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Amritsar. Amritsar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Amritsar. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Amritsar fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amritsar this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amritsar during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Amritsar receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Amritsar 28°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Amritsar and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Amritsar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 35°C (96°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 178 mm (7 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
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.