A Travel Price Comparison for India Lucknow vs. Kolkata (Calcutta) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lucknow or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Lucknow and Kolkata (Calcutta) can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Lucknow or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi.


Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Lucknow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lucknow is $46, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Lucknow and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lucknow $19
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lucknow $38
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Lucknow and Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Lucknow or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Lucknow


Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta)


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: Lucknow Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lucknow $13
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucknow

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

  • Private Transfer from Lucknow to Kanpur: $28
  • Lucknow Airport Transfer: $28
  • Private Transfer from Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport to Lucknow: $42
  • Private Transfer from Lucknow to Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport: $42
  • Agra to Lucknow Transfer: $100

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport to Kolkata: $59
  • Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $59
  • Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Lucknow or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Lucknow 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
    Lucknow $17
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucknow

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

  • Dinner With A Maharaja In Lucknow: $272

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
  • Dinner Cruise on Ganges Kolkata 3Hrs: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lucknow $14
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $15

Tours and Activities in Lucknow

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

  • Lucknow Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.68
  • Heritage & Cultural Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Colonial Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage & Cultural Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Night Walk Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage Lucknow Photography Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Day Tour Of Lucknow: $22
  • Lucknow Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $25
  • Private Ayodhya & Ram Mandir Temple Tour: $47
  • 8 Hour: Lucknow Full day City Sightseeing Trip: $61
  • Custom Private Lucknow Sightseeing Trip with Guided Trip: $61
  • Lucknow Treasures: A Full-Day Private City Tour: $65

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
  • All inclusive full day tour of kolkata: $105
  • Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
  • Calcutta Contrast Tour: $37
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
  • Experience Kolkata in 2 Days like never before - Private Tour: $197
  • Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $120
  • Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
  • Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $153
  • Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Kolkata: $286
  • Gangasagar Pilgrimage - Private Day Tour from Kolkata: $200
  • Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip by Car, Walk & Sunset Cruise Excursion Trip: $111

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lucknow $7.04
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27

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: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lucknow and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Lucknow 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 Lucknow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucknow 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 Lucknow Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lucknow or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Lucknow. When comparing the sizes of Lucknow and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.

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