Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Dharamsala? 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 Dharamsala?
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.
Dharamsala
With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $35. 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 Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Dharamsala? 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala 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
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Food Meals for one dayKarachi $11Dharamsala $8.34
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 Dharamsala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dharamsala.
- Flavors of Dharamshala: 2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Dharamsala $5.55
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 Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Walking the Spiritual Path (Guided 2-Hour Dharamshala Tour): $18
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $81
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $96
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Dharamsala?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 590 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Dharamsala, 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.