Which place is cheaper, Delhi or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Islamabad or Delhi?
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 Delhi 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 Delhi?
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.
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
-
Islamabad Prices
Pakistan PricesDelhi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $53Delhi $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $53, while the average daily cost in Delhi 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 Delhi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $21Delhi $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $42Delhi $42
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Delhi
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Delhi? 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 Delhi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.70Delhi $4.30
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 - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Islamabad Private Door to Door Airport Transfer: $54
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- 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: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$0.11
-
Taxi to Airport$1.69
-
Subway$0.34
-
Uber Cab$0.84
-
Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.58
-
Auto-rickshaw$1.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Delhi to Jaipur transfer via Bharatpur and Ranthambore park visit: $300
- Private Transfer Delhi To Varanasi: $203
- Delhi /New Delhi & Beyond transfer & travel in a Insured vehicle: $200
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Corbett National Park with Brunch: $199
- One Way: Private Transfer between Delhi and Ranthambore: $195
- 3-Day Jaipur to Delhi Tour by Fast Train with Tickets & Transfers: $190
- From Delhi Agra Taj Mahal Tour by Car with Transfers: $169
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Rishikesh via Haridwar: $165
- Private Transfer Delhi to Amritsar: $160
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Agra via Vrindavan & Mathura: $145
- One-Way Private Transfer From Delhi To Pushkar: $144
- From Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour & Transfer to Jaipur: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Delhi?
Prices for flights to both Delhi 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 dayIslamabad $26Delhi $18
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
-
McDonalds$3.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Old Delhi Food Tour: 8 Tastings & Tuk-Tuk Ride with Local Expert: $14
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $17
- Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market, Temples and Rickshaw Ride: $22
- Old Delhi Food Tour with Pickup and Drop Off: $22
- Old Delhi Hidden Gems Walking and Food Tour: $27
- Online: Indian Food Cooking Class: $29
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour – Explore Spices in Chandni Chowk: $30
- Old Delhi Chandni Chowk Heritage Walking Street Food Tour: $30
- Chandni Chowk Delhi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $39
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $40
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $40
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.51Delhi $17
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing Tour: $70
- Islamabad Offbeat, Private City Tour Islamabad: $72
- Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
- Half Day Private Instagram Guided City Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
- Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $90
- Full Day Islamabad & Taxila UNESCO Site Tour: $92
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- Discover Taxila Private City Tour of World Heritage Unesco Sites: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Full Day Islamabad Guided City Tour: $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Red Fort$9.16
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Old & New Delhi Discovery: Private Full-Day Guided Tour”: $59
- "Taj Mahal" Tour from Delhi by India's Fastest Train (Gatiman Express): $76
- (Time saver) 2-day Golden Triangle Tour all inclusive: $60
- 01 Day Agra Tour With Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with Lunch: $60
- 02 Days Agra Tour from Delhi with Sunrise Taj mahal & Agra Fort: $216
- 02 nights 03 Days Private Jaipur tour from Delhi: $280
- 02-Days Taj Mahal Sunrise & Sunset Luxury Tour with Fatehpur Sikri from Delhi: $98
- 03 Days Private Ranthambore Wildlife Safari Tour From Delhi: $230
- 04-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra & Jaipur: $261
- 06 Hours Old and New Delhi Private City Tour: $14
- 1 Day Delhi City Tour & 1 Day Agra Taj Mahal Private Combo Tour: $76
- 1 Day Delhi Sightseeing Tour by Car Explore Iconic Landmarks: $81
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.89Delhi $7.63
Sample the Local Flavors in Delhi
Also in Delhi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $29
- Pub Crawl Delhi: $35
When comparing the travel costs between Islamabad and Delhi, 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 Delhi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Delhi?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Delhi, 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 Delhi?
Islamabad has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Delhi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Islamabad or Delhi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Delhi. The warm climate attracts visitors to Delhi throughout the year.
Delhi can become quite hot in the summer. The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Delhi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Delhi averages at about 31°C (88°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Delhi. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Delhi receives 166 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Delhi. Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Delhi. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Delhi receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Delhi 31°C (88°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Delhi in the Autumn?
Both Delhi and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Delhi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Delhi. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Delhi fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Delhi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Delhi during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Delhi receives 269 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Delhi. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Delhi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Delhi 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Delhi in the Winter?
Both Delhi and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Delhi year-round.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Delhi in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Delhi fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Delhi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the winter, Islamabad often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Delhi. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Delhi receives 215 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Delhi. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Delhi receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Delhi 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Delhi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Delhi. Delhi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Delhi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Delhi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Delhi 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 Delhi during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Delhi receives 261 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Delhi. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Delhi receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Delhi 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Delhi and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Delhi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 34°C (93°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.