Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Luxor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Luxor or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Varanasi? 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 Varanasi?
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.
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Luxor Prices
Egypt PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $31Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $31, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $11Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $22Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Varanasi? 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 Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $5.37Varanasi $4.38
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$0.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- private transfer one way from Luxor to Hurghada: $75
- private Transfer from Marsa alam To Luxor: $63
- private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $85
- luxor to Marsa Alam-or vice ( Private Transfer ): $105
- VIP Luxor Airport Transfer: $29
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $40
- Transfer from luxor to marsa alam: $150
- Transfer from luxor to Aswan passing by Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (Optional): $90
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada with Dendera Temple: $100
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada Optional Stop at Dendera Temple: $90
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $187
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.85
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Rickshaw Ride$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $33
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi 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 $16Varanasi $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $10
- Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $15
- Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner: $30
- Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
- Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House of Luxor: $45
- 3-Hour Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $50
- Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Felucca Sunset & Dinner: $55
- Open-Air Farm Luxor Lunch or Dinner Experience in a Green: $60
- Felucca at Sunset and Dinner at an Egyptian House in Luxor: $60
- Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca : $64
- Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Romantic Nile-View Dinner: $75
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $39
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $9.89Varanasi $9.30
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)$0.54
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.60
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Camel Ride for Two$1.20
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (2 nights / 3 days )Nile cruise from Luxor to aswan: $300
- (Private) Half Day Tour Luxor Temple and Karnak Temples: $13
- 1 Day tour from luxor to safaga Snorkling boat trip: $50
- 1-Day Day Tour from Temples of Luxor to Aswan: $179
- 2 Day Luxor Highlights Tour from Safaga to Luxor: $300
- 2 Day Luxor Private Tour East and West Banks: $39
- 2 Day Luxor Tour East and West Bank Highlights: $24
- 2 Day Private Luxor Tour includes Balloon Ride Esna temple&other: $290
- 2 Day Private Tour of Luxor: $290
- 2 Day Trip West Bank & East Bank, Luxor Highlights Tours & Hotel: $210
- 2 Day in Luxor tours: $336
- 2 Days Private Tour Karnak & Luxor Temples, and Luxor West bank: $101
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.74
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $11
- Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti, Boating & Witnessing the GOD: $11
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Pedal Rickshaw Tours: $13
- Private Yoga Experience in Varanasi: $15
- Varanasi Tuk Tuk Tour: $16
- Mysticism of Varanasi Tour with a local including free Guided Boat Ride: $17
- Sunrise in Varanasi Tour with a local with free Ganga Aarti and Boat Ride: $17
- Varanasi on Tuk Tuk (2 hours offbeat famous travel experience): $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.96Varanasi $6.96
When comparing the travel costs between Luxor and Varanasi, we can see that Luxor is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Luxor is in Africa and Varanasi is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Varanasi, 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.