Which place is cheaper, Darjiling or Lahore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lahore or Darjiling?
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 Lahore and Darjiling. 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: Lahore or Darjiling?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLahore $57Darjiling $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $57, while the average daily cost in Darjiling 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 Lahore and Darjiling in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $37Darjiling $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $74Darjiling $26
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Darjiling
Looking for a hotel in Lahore or Darjiling? 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: Lahore Hotel Prices and Darjiling Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.98Darjiling $7.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
- Airport Transfer : $60
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
- Private Transfers Darjeeling - Gangtok Drop: $98
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Darjiling?
Prices for flights to both Darjiling and Lahore 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 dayLahore $14Darjiling $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Full Day Lahore Private Guided Food Tour: $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $5.08Darjiling $12
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $175
- Kartarpur Tour: $150
- Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
- Khewra Salt Mines & Katas Raj Temple One Day Guided Tour: $210
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- 5-Day Private Tour of Gangtok and Darjeeling: $246
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Best of Darjeeling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $84
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $147
- Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
- Day Trip to Gangtok (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $147
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $148
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.89Darjiling $8.77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Darjiling, we can see that Lahore is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Lahore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lahore than you might in Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lahore Expensive? and Is Darjiling Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Darjiling?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Lahore and Darjiling, 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.