A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Karachi vs. Amritsar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Karachi or Amritsar?

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

Should I visit Karachi or Amritsar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Karachi or Amritsar?

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, and The Best Photography Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Karachi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $53. 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 Karachi and Amritsar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karachi $11
    Amritsar $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karachi $22
    Amritsar $46
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Amritsar

Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.

Hotels in Karachi


Hotels in Amritsar


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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Amritsar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karachi $4.58
    Amritsar $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:

  • Affordable Amritsar airport transfer: $11
  • Amritsar Airport Transfer: $12
  • From Amritsar Airport Transfer: $28
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer to Chandigarh Airport/Hotel: $71
  • Chandigarh to Amritsar Transfer: $71
  • Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $98
  • Private Wagah Border Drama and the Golden Temple with Transfer: $151

Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Amritsar?

Prices for flights to both Amritsar and Karachi 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
    Karachi $11
    Amritsar $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.

  • Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
  • Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
  • Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karachi $5.07
    Amritsar $15

Tours and Activities in Karachi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:

  • Karachi City Tour : $129
  • UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
  • Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
  • Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
  • Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
  • Experience local village life in Sindh: $200

Tours and Activities in Amritsar

Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Amritsar Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $13
  • Golden Temple Guided Tour (Planet Amritsar Inc.): $17
  • Cultural Walk of Amritsar (2 hours guided walking tour): $17
  • Amritsar Heritage Walking Tour: $18
  • Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh Guided Tour: $18
  • Real Village Tour Amritsar: $20
  • Real Amritsar : Full Day Tour with Wagah Border and Heritage Walk: $21
  • Amritsar Golden Temple Tour.: $25
  • Wagah Border Ceremony Half-Day Tour: $27
  • Wagha Border tour : $29
  • Wagah Border Amritsar Sightseeing Taxi: $30
  • Amritsar Full Day Tour (Golden Temple with Wagah Border): $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karachi $3.35
    Amritsar $13

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 Karachi and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Amritsar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Karachi or Amritsar?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Amritsar. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Amritsar?

Karachi 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 Karachi or Amritsar in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Amritsar. Amritsar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's very hot in Amritsar this time of the year. In July, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Amritsar. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 30°C (86°F), and Amritsar fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amritsar this time of the year. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Amritsar during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Amritsar receives 215 hours of full sun in the summer.

Amritsar receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Amritsar. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Karachi 30°C (86°F) 
    Amritsar 33°C (91°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Amritsar in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Amritsar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amritsar throughout the year.

Karachi is around the same temperature as Amritsar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Amritsar fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amritsar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Amritsar. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amritsar receives 252 hours of full sun.

Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Amritsar. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Amritsar 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Amritsar in the Winter?

Both Amritsar and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Amritsar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Karachi is a little warmer than Amritsar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karachi in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Amritsar averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Amritsar during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Amritsar receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Amritsar. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Karachi 19°C (66°F) 
    Amritsar 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Amritsar in the Spring?

Both Amritsar and Karachi during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amritsar year-round.

In April, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Amritsar. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Amritsar fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Amritsar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the spring, Karachi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amritsar. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amritsar receives 265 hours of full sun.

Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Amritsar. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Amritsar 28°C (83°F)

Typical Weather for Amritsar and Karachi

Karachi Amritsar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 25 mm (1 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 33°C (91°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 35°C (96°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 33°C (91°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 32°C (90°F) 178 mm (7 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 31°C (88°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)


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