Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Varanasi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Varanasi?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $159Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $159, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Istanbul and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $74Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $148Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Varanasi? 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $35Varanasi $4.38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $52
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $87
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $51
- istanbul airport transfer: $37
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $49
- Viaport Aquapark Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $65
- Trusted Istanbul Airport Transfer to city center: $41
- Troy Full-Day Guided Tour incl. Transfer, Ferry Tickets w/Lunch: $146
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Eco-Sedan: $50
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $28
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport transfers to Kadikoy hotels: $58
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport transfers to Besiktas hotels: $76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.85
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Rickshaw Ride$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $33
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $59Varanasi $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $23
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $33
- Istanbul Turkish Coffee Cooking and Tasting with Locals at Home: $33
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkis Night Show in Istanbul: $34
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $34
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $39
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $39Varanasi $9.30
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $117
- "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $280
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $72
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $295
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 10 Tastings of Istanbul Foodie Tour: $105
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $23
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise with Audio Guide: $14
- 2 Hours Small Group Guided Bosphorus Luxury Yacht Cruise: $33
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.74
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $11
- Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti, Boating & Witnessing the GOD: $11
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Pedal Rickshaw Tours: $13
- Private Yoga Experience in Varanasi: $15
- Varanasi Tuk Tuk Tour: $16
- Mysticism of Varanasi Tour with a local including free Guided Boat Ride: $17
- Sunrise in Varanasi Tour with a local with free Ganga Aarti and Boat Ride: $17
- Varanasi on Tuk Tuk (2 hours offbeat famous travel experience): $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $11Varanasi $6.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $18
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $209
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Varanasi, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe and Varanasi is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Varanasi?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Varanasi, 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.