Which place is cheaper, Agra or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Agra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Agra, 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Agra?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
Agra
In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.
While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, and The Best Adventure Tours to India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKolkata (Calcutta) $37Agra $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37, while the average daily cost in Agra is $44. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Agra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKolkata (Calcutta) $17Agra $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKolkata (Calcutta) $34Agra $32
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Agra
Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) or Agra? 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11Agra $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Pickup/Dropoff Taj Mahal/Airport/hotel transfer: $1.20
- From Delhi/Taj Mahal & Agra Day Trip with Transfers: $3.60
- Delhi: Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Tour with Pickup & Transfer.: $4.20
- Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Half-Day Tour with Transfer: $5.40
- Airport Transfer with Pickup and Drop-off: $5.40
- Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
- Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour With Guide & Transfer: $5.92
- Round Trip Transfers Between Agra Hotels & Agra Airport AGR: $6.15
- Taj Mahal Tour with Car, Tour Guide & Hotel Transfers: $9.95
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $11
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Agra Day Trip with Guide & Transfer: $12
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour with Transfer: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Agra?
Prices for flights to both Agra and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 dayKolkata (Calcutta) $14Agra $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64
Typical Food Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:
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Breakfast for Two$2.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $6.00
- Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $12
- Home Hosted Luch or dinner by Indian local Family: $18
- Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
- Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra Including Lunch or Dinner: $20
- Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $22
- Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family: $23
- Old City Food Tour with Local Guide and Tastings: $23
- Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $25
- The Spirit of Agra - Old Market Walking and Food Tour: $26
- Cooking classes Tour Including Pickup And Dropping To Hotel: $28
- Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $15Agra $20
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- 02 Days Guided Private Tour of Kolkata : $225
- 2 days private tour of kolkata city and Bishnupur by car: $280
- Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $25
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Custom Private Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip w/ Optional Add ons: $148
- Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $90
- Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
- Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $76
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip by Car, Walk & Sunset Cruise Excursion Trip: $111
- Half Day Tour to the Flower Market and Howrah Bridge in Kolkata: $85
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra
For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entry to the Red Fort for Two$7.18
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Taj Mahal for Two$18
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- From New Delhi: Private Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour by Car: $0.12
- Mughal Carpet Co. Agra :- Handmade Carpet Demonstration Tour: $0.84
- Handmade Marble Demonstration Tour: $1.02
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Entry Guided Tour: $1.19
- Agra:Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Guided Tour with Free Breakfast: $1.20
- Agra : Taj Mahal tour with guide: $1.20
- Skip-the-line entry ticket on Taj Mahal tour: $1.20
- Private Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Tour: $1.80
- Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Guided Tour with Multi Options: $1.86
- Sunset Taj Mahal Tour with Skip-The-Line & Lateral Entry: $2.04
- Agra/Delhi/Jaipur: Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Tour with Options: $2.10
- Taj Mahal and Mausoleum Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry: $2.10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKolkata (Calcutta) $8.27Agra $9.63
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Agra, we can see that Agra is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Agra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Agra than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Agra?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Agra. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) and Agra, 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.