Should I Visit Lahore or Lucknow for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Lahore or Lucknow?

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 Lucknow. 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 Lucknow?

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.

Lucknow

Lucknow, located in the central region of Awadh, is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. With a very rich cultural and historical past, Lucknow has been at the heart of North Indian culture for many centuries. It thrives in areas of art, cuisine, dance, culture, music, and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, and The Best Luxury Tours to India.

Which place is cheaper, Lucknow or Lahore?

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

Lahore Prices
Pakistan Prices

Lucknow Prices
India Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Lahore $66

Lucknow $56

The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $66, while the average daily cost in Lucknow is $56. 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 Lucknow in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Lahore $37

Lucknow $18
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Lahore $74

Lucknow $36

Compare Hotels in Lahore and Lucknow

Looking for a hotel in Lahore or Lucknow? 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 Lucknow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Lahore $9.90

Lucknow $12

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
Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
Airport Transfer : $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucknow

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

Lucknow 3-Days Private Tour with Hotel and Transfers: $277
One-Way Transfer Agra-Lucknow To and Fro by Private AC Car: $110
Private Transfer from Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport to Lucknow: $40
Private Transfer from Lucknow to Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport: $40
From Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya or Prayagraj: 1-Way Transfer: $38
Premium Lucknow Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Convenience: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Lucknow?

Prices for flights to both Lucknow 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

Food Meals for one day

Lahore $23

Lucknow $28

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucknow

For Lucknow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Lucknow City tour followed by Food Tour: $80
Dinner With A Maharaja In Lucknow: $238
Heritage Walk With Curated Dinner In Lucknow: $300

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Lahore $5.04

Lucknow $14

Tours and Activities in Lahore

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.

2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
2-Perfect Days in Lahore with a Local Tour Guide: $300
Buddhist Remains & Archeology 3 Days Historical Tour From Lahore.: $20
Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
Heer Ranjha Tomb & Jhang City Pvt Guided & All-Incl. 1-day Tour: $110
Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $175
Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
Katas Raj Temple and Khewra Salt Mines in Kalar Kahar Day Tour: $300
Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $145

Tours and Activities in Lucknow

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

6-Hour Lucknow Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Pickup: $80
8 Hour: Lucknow Full day City Sightseeing Trip: $59
A Walking Tour for Vegetarian Foodies in Lucknow: $180
Ayodhya Tour From Lucknow (Same Day): $253
Best of Lucknow (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $80
Colonial Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
Custom Private Lucknow Sightseeing Trip with Guided Trip: $59
Day Tour Of Lucknow: $22
From 1 Day Tour With Private Car & Driver: $46
From Ayodhya Private Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride: $127
Heritage & Cultural Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
Heritage & Cultural Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Lahore $4.85

Lucknow $6.83

Sample the Local Flavors in Lucknow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucknow:

Pub Crawl Lucknow: $38

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Lucknow, we can see that Lahore is more expensive. And not only is Lucknow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lucknow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lucknow 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 Lucknow.

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

Which is Bigger, Lahore or Lucknow?

Lahore has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lucknow. When comparing the sizes of Lahore and Lucknow, 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lahore vs. Lucknow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lahore or Lucknow?

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

Where Should I go: Lahore or Lucknow?

Lahore

Lucknow

Which place is cheaper, Lucknow or Lahore?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Lahore and Lucknow

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucknow

Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Lucknow?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucknow

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Lahore

Tours and Activities in Lucknow

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Lucknow

Which is Bigger, Lahore or Lucknow?

Related Articles for Lahore

Related Articles for Lucknow

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lahore vs. Lucknow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lahore or Lucknow?

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

Where Should I go: Lahore or Lucknow?

Lahore

Lucknow

Which place is cheaper, Lucknow or Lahore?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Lahore and Lucknow

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucknow

Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Lucknow?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucknow

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Lahore

Tours and Activities in Lucknow

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Lucknow

Which is Bigger, Lahore or Lucknow?

Related Articles for Lahore

Related Articles for Lucknow

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