A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Paphos or Dharamsala?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Dharamsala, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Paphos or Dharamsala?

Paphos

Located on the southwestern tip of Cyprus, Paphos has many different archaeological sights and it is renowned as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The town is situated between the coast and the Troodos Mountains and it has grown in recent years as a tourist destination. As such, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of the tourism infrastructure including investing in hotels, restaurants and transportation. There is also a commercial center to the city as well as a newly built "promenade" that travels from the marina along a long coastal path. This route offers excellent views, especially during the morning or evening hours when the sun is low.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.


Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Paphos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €97, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is €33. 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 Paphos and Dharamsala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paphos 48
    Dharamsala 22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paphos 96
    Dharamsala 44
Compare Hotels in Paphos and Dharamsala

Looking for a hotel in Paphos 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.

Hotels in Paphos


Hotels in Dharamsala


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: Paphos Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paphos 12
    Dharamsala 4.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:

  • From Nicosia Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Transfer: $30
  • Blue Lagoon trip with slide, music & transfer from Paphos: $32
  • Paphos:Ocean Vision BBQ Sunset Cruise with food and transfer: $42
  • 180 Minutes BBQ Cruise with food & Transfer: $42
  • Choirokitia & Famagusta Guided Tour with Transfers: $43
  • Ocean Vision BBQ Cruise with transfer, swim stop & food: $54
  • Ocean Vision Sunset Cruise with BBQ, transfer, swim stop: $54
  • Paphos Airport (PFO) to Paphos city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
  • Night Cruise w/Dance Show, Food, Open Bar & Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer from Paphos Airport PFO to Polis City by Sedan: $69
  • Departure Transfer from Polis City to Paphos Airport PFO by Sedan: $69
  • Blue Lagoon/Akamas: Adults Sunset with Food, Open Bar & Transfer: $82

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 Paphos or Dharamsala?

Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Paphos 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 day
    Paphos 38
    Dharamsala 7.81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.

  • From Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $53
  • Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $54
  • Wave Dancer Fireworks, Buffet Dinner & Show Cruise: $67

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.
    Paphos 12
    Dharamsala 5.20

Tours and Activities in Paphos

Here are a few actual costs in Paphos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cruise to Blue Lagoon from Latchi Port: $20
  • Paphos/Akamas: Blue Lagoon Bus & Boat Tour with water slide: $21
  • Blue Lagoon Cruise with sightseeing departing from LATCHI HARBOUR. Postcode 8840: $22
  • Nafsika II Half Day Cruise Swimming to blue lagoon water slide : $24
  • From Limassol Experience: $25
  • Latchi to Blue Lagoon Glass Bottom+slide Boat Tour: $25
  • Full day trip to Blue Lagoon Latchi Akamas with Boat cruise: $27
  • Chrysoroyiatissa ,Kykkos ,Omodos Day Tour from Paphos: $27
  • From Guided tour of Limassol with Rock of Aphrodite: $29
  • Paphos/Akamas: Blue Lagoon Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide: $30
  • From Authentic Cyprus Guided Tour with Breakfast: $32
  • Wave Dancer Boat Sunset Cruise with BBQ and Swimming: $34

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: $81
  • Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $96
  • Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paphos 9.98
    Dharamsala 5.20

Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:

  • Wine tasting and winery tour at Fikardos Winery: $29
  • Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $70
  • Regional Wineries Tour with Wine Tastings: $102
  • WINE TOUR from Paphos: $104


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Dharamsala, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paphos 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 Paphos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paphos 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 Paphos Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paphos or Dharamsala?

Paphos has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Paphos 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.