Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Madhya Pradesh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Madhya Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Madhya Pradesh 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: Madhya Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Madhya Pradesh
Translating to "central region," Madhya Pradesh is a state centrally located within the plains of India. While it is not a major tourist hub, the region has plenty to showcase in regards to the history, art, religion, and culture of central India.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours in India, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadhya Pradesh $0.00Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Madhya Pradesh is $0.00, 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 Madhya Pradesh and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadhya Pradesh -Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadhya Pradesh $0.00Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Madhya Pradesh and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Madhya Pradesh 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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madhya Pradesh -Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madhya Pradesh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Madhya Pradesh:
- Private Transfer from Bhopal to Raja Bhoj (BHO) Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Raja Bhoj (BHO) Airport to Bhopal: $41
- Private Transfer from Indore to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar (IDR) Airport: $43
- Private Transfer from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar (IDR) Airport to Indore: $43
- Private Custom Tour: Orchha Sightseeing with Guide and transfers: $86
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 Madhya Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Madhya Pradesh 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 dayMadhya Pradesh -Dharamsala $8.34
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.Madhya Pradesh -Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Madhya Pradesh
Here are a few actual costs in Madhya Pradesh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Heritage Orchha Photography Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Spiritual Trails of Orchha (2 Hours Guided Temples Walking Tour): $13
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Khajuraho (2 Hours Guided Temple Tour): $13
- Indore Local Tour: $22
- Khajuraho Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Raneh waterfall Khajuraho (motorcycle tour): $31
- Private Guided Heritage and Cultural Tour in Khajuraho : $32
- Gwalior to Agra Perfect day Tour Private: $39
- Gwalior Heritage City Tour : $41
- Full Day City Tour of Khajuraho visit Kamasutra Temples and Handicrafts: $48
- Birds and Heritage: Bhoj Wetland and Bhopal City Tour: $50
- Full Day 8-hours Heritage Tour to Khajuraho Temples: $51
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: $80
- 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 dayMadhya Pradesh -Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madhya Pradesh and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Madhya Pradesh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madhya Pradesh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madhya Pradesh 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 Madhya Pradesh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madhya Pradesh Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
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.