Should you visit Mysore or Dharamsala?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Mysore and Dharamsala. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Mysore
Also known as Mysuru, Mysore is the state of Karnataka's second biggest city behind Bangalore (also called Bengaluru) in southern India. Its landmark attraction is the Mysore Palace, though it also features memorable temples, markets, and a renowned annual festival in September-October.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Dharamsala or Mysore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mysore is $31, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $32. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Mysore and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Mysore, $26 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Mysore, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $13, such as in a hostel.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $21. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Dharamsala the cost is $42 on average.
Food
Food in Mysore costs travelers about $10 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $7.49 per day in Dharamsala for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Mysore $10
Dharamsala $7.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dharamsala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dharamsala.
-
Private Full Day McleodGanj City Sightseeing & Cooking Class:
$74
Local Transportation
Mysore's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $7.17 per person, per day on transportation in Mysore.
The average price of local transportation around Dharamsala is $4.60 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
-
Dharamsala- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing (3 Days):
$304
-
Affordable Dharamshala Airport Transfer:
$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Mysore or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Mysore 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Mysore can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $8.36 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Dharamsala's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $4.99 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
-
Dharamsala Half Day Sightseeing Tour:
$50
-
Half-Day Private Kangra Valley Cycling Tour from Dharamshala:
$69
-
Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala:
$72
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Mysore spend on average $8.56 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $4.99 on alcoholic beverages in Dharamsala per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When comparing the travel costs between Mysore and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Related Articles for Mysore
Related Articles for Dharamsala
