A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Varanasi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Varanasi?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Varanasi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Varanasi?

Koh Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.


Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Koh Tarutao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $130, 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 Koh Tarutao and Varanasi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Tarutao $54
    Varanasi $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Tarutao $108
    Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Varanasi

Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao 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.

Hotels in Koh Tarutao


Hotels in Varanasi


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: Koh Tarutao Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $37
    Varanasi $4.33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.84
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
  • Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
  • Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
  • Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
  • Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
  • From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
  • From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
  • Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Varanasi?

Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Koh Tarutao 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
    Koh Tarutao $54
    Varanasi $11

Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $3.62

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: $29
  • Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
  • Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
  • Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $16
    Varanasi $9.20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.73

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
  • 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
  • 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
  • 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
  • 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
  • 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Tarutao $7.67
    Varanasi $6.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Varanasi, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koh Tarutao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.