Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Maharashtra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Maharashtra or Dharamsala?
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 Maharashtra and Dharamsala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Maharashtra or Dharamsala?
Maharashtra
As the third largest state in India geographically, Maharashtra has its fair share of temples, ruins, landmarks , historic sites, natural scenery, and lookout points, amongst much more - all rich with the culture and heritage of 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 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMaharashtra $63Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Maharashtra is $63, 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 Maharashtra and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMaharashtra $28Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMaharashtra $56Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Maharashtra and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Maharashtra 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.Maharashtra $9.27Dharamsala $5.13
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 Maharashtra or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Maharashtra 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 dayMaharashtra $23Dharamsala $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.Maharashtra $11Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Maharashtra
Here are a few actual costs in Maharashtra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Elephanta Caves with Bollywood Tour in Mumbai: $311
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 dayMaharashtra $10Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maharashtra and Dharamsala, we can see that Maharashtra is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Maharashtra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maharashtra than you might in Dharamsala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Maharashtra Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Maharashtra or Dharamsala?
Maharashtra has a larger population, and is about 5290 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Maharashtra 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.