Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Pamukkale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale and Dharamsala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Dharamsala?
Pamukkale
Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.
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 Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamukkale $156Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $156, 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 Pamukkale and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamukkale $56Dharamsala $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamukkale $112Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale 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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamukkale $35Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale
Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $82
- Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Day Trip with Lunch and Transfers: $85
- Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
- Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98
- Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
- Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
- Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
- Transfer from Denizli Airport to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $124
- Pamukkale to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport-Departure Transfer: $125
- Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $137
- City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $166
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 Pamukkale or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Pamukkale 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPamukkale $69Dharamsala $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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamukkale $54Dharamsala $5.55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale
For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Entrance fees Travertines & Pool$2.01
Tours and Activities in Pamukkale
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.
- Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $38
- Pamukkale City Highlights Small Group Guided Tour with Lunch: $40
- Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $45
- Pamukkale Paragliding Experience By Local Expert Pilots: $48
- From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $48
- Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $57
- From Bodrum: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guided Tour with Lunch: $63
- Kusadasi or Selcuk: Pamukkale Guided Group Tour: $68
- Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale : $71
- Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $81
- Shared Cultural Tour in Pamukkale and Hierapolis: $82
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour: $85
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: $128
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $81
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $299
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- 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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamukkale $15Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamukkale and Dharamsala, we can see that Pamukkale is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pamukkale is in Europe and Dharamsala is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Pamukkale would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Dharamsala?
Dharamsala has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale 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.