Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Munnar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Munnar 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 Munnar and Dharamsala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Munnar or Dharamsala?
Munnar
The name Munnar brings the picture of vast tea estates in front of our eyes. The hilly region is full of tea plantations which spread across acres and acres. The misty valleys in between add beauty to the greenery along with clouds. With the soul-stirring surrounding and panoramic charm of nature, Munnar is enriched with an opulent floral beauty. The green tea meadows make it even more vibrant. If you want to sleep in the lap of nature for some time amid the utmost serenity, no other place in Kerala can be better than Munnar. So, unleash yourself here and get the most of it.
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 in India, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMunnar $29Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Munnar is $29, 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 Munnar and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMunnar $13Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMunnar $26Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Munnar and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Munnar 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: Munnar Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Munnar $5.09Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munnar
Also for Munnar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kochi to Munnar Transfer: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Munnar or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Munnar 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 dayMunnar $9.86Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munnar
For Munnar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26
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.Munnar $12Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Munnar
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Munnar.
- Medium Hard Trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ) : $8.58
- Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
- Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $15
- Munnar Trekking (Amazing Munnar Adventure Tours): $15
- Chinnar wild valley experience day tour ( By Munnar Info): $16
- Munnar Tea Trail with Factory Experience ( By Munnar Info): $16
- Fullday Trekking in Chokaramudi (munnar valley Trekking & Tours) : $18
- Top station tour (munnar valley Trekking & Tours) : $22
- Munnar Tea-trail Tour: $22
- Sandal Wood & Sight Seeing Tour (Munnar Valley Trekking & Tours) : $25
- Munnar Site-seeing Tour: $43
- Munnar Tea valley Tour ( By Munnar Info): $43
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local - Full Day Guided Tour: $127
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $80
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $298
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $24
- Guided Andretta Artists' VIllage Tour: $98
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMunnar $6.10Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munnar and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Munnar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Munnar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munnar 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 Munnar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Munnar Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Munnar or Dharamsala?
Munnar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Munnar 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.