Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Pamukkale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pamukkale or Varanasi?
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 Varanasi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Varanasi?
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.
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Pamukkale Prices
Turkey PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamukkale $142Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $142, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamukkale $38Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamukkale $76Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale or Varanasi? 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 Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamukkale $24Varanasi $4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale
Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Pamukkale to Konya: $190
- Private Transfer from Pamukkale to Cappadocia with Konya Tour: $245
- Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $111
- Paragliding Tour w/ Scenic Views & Hotel Transfer: $73
- Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $117
- Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $146
- Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $179
- Pamukkale : Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Flight w/Transfer: $70
- Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $85
- Laodicea-Kaklik-Salda Private Transfer Full day: $200
- Gumbet Turkish Bath with hotel transfer and Oil massage: $38
- Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $146
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $44
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $44
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi 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
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Food Meals for one dayPamukkale $83Varanasi $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pamukkale
For Pamukkale, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Pamukkale Sunset Tour With Dinner&Wine: $250
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$3.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamukkale $37Varanasi $9.20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale
For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance fees Travertines & Pool$1.38
Tours and Activities in Pamukkale
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.
- 6 Day Antalya, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Ephesus Tour: $325
- Antalya/Belek: Pamukkale Day Tour w/Optional Hot Air Balloon: $24
- Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $88
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- Daily Aphrodisias Tour from Pamukkale - Karahayit Hotels: $250
- Daily Guided Small Group Pamukkale&Hierapolis Tour: $100
- Daily Pamukkale And Hıerapolis Tour from Pamukkale and Karahayıt: $111
- Daily Pamukkale Tour From Denizli Çardak Aırport: $128
- Daily Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Denizli Bus station: $122
- Ephesus Private Tour from Pamukkale: $270
- From Antalya / Kemer: Full-Day Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour: $41
- From Antalya: Daily Pamukkale Tour with Expert Local Guide: $133
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.73
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $266
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $118
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155
- 3 Hour Walking Tour of Buddhism in Sarnath: $32
- 3 Hour Yoga Experience on the Ghats in Varanasi: $96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamukkale $10Varanasi $6.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamukkale and Varanasi, we can see that Pamukkale is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pamukkale is in Europe and Varanasi 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pamukkale Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale and Varanasi, 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.