Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Luxor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luxor or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Dharamsala? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Luxor or Dharamsala?
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
Dharamsala
With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $17Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $17, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala 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 Luxor and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $7.62Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $15Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Dharamsala? 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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $3.91Dharamsala $5.13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
- Luxor Airport Private Transfer: $6.00
- Private Transfer From Luxor to Anywhere in Safaga: $6.00
- Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $6.40
- Private Transfer : from / to Luxor Airport (any Hotel): $6.40
- private Transfer From Luxor Hotel To The Airport Or Vice Versa : $7.00
- Private Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor Airport: $7.00
- Private Transfer Luxor Airport to Hotel: $7.00
- Pickup Transfers And Taxi Services From Hotel In Luxor To Luxor Airport: $7.50
- Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
- Luxor Train Station Private Transfer to Your Hotel: $7.50
- Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Luxor 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 dayLuxor $5.83Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $35
- Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
- Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner : $50
- Private Half Day Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner From Luxor: $52
- Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca : $64
- Luxor & Mummification Museums & City Tour by H. Carriage & Dinner: $70
- private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
- Enjoy Half Day Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dharamsala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dharamsala.
- Flavors of Dharamshala: 2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $6.74Dharamsala $5.55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)$0.57
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.74
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Camel Ride for Two$1.26
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Valley Of The Kings Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Mummification Museum Entry Ticket: $5.10
- Souvenir Shopping Tour, Luxor: $5.13
- Half Day East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $6.40
- Skip-the-Line Valley Of The Queens Entry Ticket: $7.00
- Luxor Museum Entry Ticket: $7.60
- Private Tour Shopping in Luxor Exploring Workshops and Markets: $8.00
- Luxor Museum Entry Ticket: $8.45
- Karnak Temple And Luxor Temple Private Day Tour : $8.89
- Explore Luxor temple and City Private Tour by Flucca: $9.00
- Temple Of Queen Hatshepsut Entry Ticket: $9.20
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Entry Tickets : $9.20
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Walking the Spiritual Path (Guided 2-Hour Dharamshala Tour): $18
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $81
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $96
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.26Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa and Dharamsala is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Dharamsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dharamsala than you might in Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Dharamsala?
Luxor has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Dharamsala, 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.