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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Paphos Prices
    Cyprus Prices
    Dharamsala Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Paphos 125
    Dharamsala 32

The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €125, 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 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 18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paphos 96
    Dharamsala 36
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 3.94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:

  • Blue Lagoon cruise: giant slide & Paphos hotel transfers: $34
  • Blue Lagoon Boat Adventure with Bus Transfer: $34
  • Blue Lagoon Boat Adventure with Bus Transfer from Paphos: $36
  • Famous Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise with transfer: $40
  • Paphos Blue Lagoon Cruise: Water Slide & Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Paphos city hotels to Limassol Cruise Port: $57
  • Paphos Airport (PFO) to Paphos city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
  • Blue Lagoon/Akamas: Adults Sunset with Food, Open Bar & Transfer: $87
  • Ocean Vision: Show & Dance Night with buffet, open bar & transfer: $92
  • CO2-Offset Transfer from Paphos Airport to Limassol City by Van: $132
  • Private Paphos Airport Transfer via Vintage Mercedes: $175
  • CO2-Offset Private Transfer Paphos Airport PFO to Nicosia City: $202

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:

  • Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $33

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 65
    Dharamsala 11

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: $67
  • Wave Dancer Fireworks, Buffet Dinner & Show Cruise: $78
  • Moussaka Cooking Class at a Wine Village Villa in Paphos: $220

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paphos 12
    Dharamsala 4.27

Tours and Activities in Paphos

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

  • Taste local wines and tour a family winery near Paphos city: $16
  • Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with fun slide: $21
  • Pafos Zoo Ticket: $22
  • FROM 1.5 HRS Glass Bottom Boat Cruise with swimming: $23
  • The Yellow Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise Swim & Snorkel: $23
  • Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sightseeing from Latchi Harbour: $29
  • Nafsika II Half Day Cruise Swimming to blue lagoon water slide: $29
  • From Limassol Experience: $32
  • Swim Cruise with Turtle Watching, Drinks & Aperol: $40
  • Yellow Submarine Swim Cruise with Unlimited Drinks: $40
  • Swim Cruise with Turtle Watching, Drinks & Aperol Spritz: $41
  • Blue Lagoon (Akamas) Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide From Paphos: $41

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): $14
  • McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $19
  • Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
  • Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
  • Guided Cycling tour in Dharamshala: $28
  • Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $39
  • Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $39
  • Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $63
  • Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $88
  • Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $97
  • Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $107

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paphos 9.98
    Dharamsala 4.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:

  • Afternoon Tour to Agios Neophytos Monastery with Wine Tasting: $50
  • From Troodos Mountains & Villages Free Wine Tasting: $62
  • Paphos - Troodos Mountains 4x4 Tour with Free Wine Tasting: $69
  • Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $74
  • Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $76
  • Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours: $87
  • Paphos Hills: Boutique Wine Tour & Scenic Escape - 4+ Guests: $132
  • Troodos Mountains Vino Venture: All Inclusive Full Day Wine Tour: $138
  • Paphos Half Day-Free Wine Tasting- Max 7p Group -Full A/C: $572
  • Troodos Mountains -Free Wine Tasting- Max 7p Group -Full A/C: $572


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.