A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Agra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Agra?

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 Petra and Agra can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Agra?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 Petra and Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Agra $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Agra $28
Compare Hotels in Petra and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Agra? 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 Petra


Hotels in Agra


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Agra $9.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
  • Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
  • Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
  • Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $88
  • Petra to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
  • Private Transfer From or To Airport, Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea: $33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
  • Delhi/Agra/Jaipur : One Way Private taxi Transfer: $7.78
  • Agra Airport to Agra Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $8.10
  • Private Transfer Agra to Delhi: $15
  • From Elephant Rescue Center Visits by AC Vehicle transfers: $16
  • Agra To Jaipur Private Transfer with Fatehpur Sikri Stop: $19
  • Private Transfer Agra to Jaipur with Fatehpur Sikri OR Stepwell: $21
  • Private Transfer From Agra to New Delhi: $22
  • Delhi Agra Jaipur Transfer with Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $22
  • Mathura to Delhi private transfer: $28
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal Guided Tour with Skip the Line & Transfers: $31
  • One-Way Transfers assistance Agra to Bharatpur Hotels Drop: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra and Petra 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
    Petra $66
    Agra $24
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

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

  • Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family: $28
  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $1.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
  • Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $19
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Agra's best cooking classes: $27
  • Watch Bollywood Movie with Dinner in Agra: $35
  • Cooking Demonstration + Meals and interaction Workshop: $38
  • Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $38
  • Story of Spices- A Food Tour of Agra: $40
  • Dinner at Agra with local Indian family: $40
  • Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $40
  • Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
  • Henna application session with dinner: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Agra $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:

  • 2-Day Private Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea from Amman: $210
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • From Petra : Wadi Rum Private 8 - hours roundtrip tour .: $190
  • Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $70
  • Half-Day Private Indiana Jones Petra Back Road Trial Tour: $200
  • Petra 3-Hour Private Tour with a Local Guide: $60
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • Petra Highlights Guided Golf Cart Tour with Hotel Pickup: $169
  • Private 3-Day Jordan Tour from Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $270
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Private Full Day Tour to Aqaba Red Sea from Petra Hotels: $200

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $6.32
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $16

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • Agra’s Hidden Gems & Flavors on a Thrilling Tuk-Tuk Tour 3-4 Hrs: $5.00
  • Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Hidden Riverfront Paradises: $5.47
  • Private Tour personal Driver & Lauxry Car: $6.40
  • Self Guided Podcast Tour Agra The Laborers Labyrinth: $6.84
  • Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Tickets: $8.00
  • Local Agra :Taj Mahal Sunrise / Sunset Private Tour by Car: $8.00
  • Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Skip-the-Line Tour: $9.72
  • Agra Fort Visits Private Tour with Licensed Tour Guide: $11
  • Taj Mahal Virtual Tour with Local Guide(Online Experience ): $11
  • Spiritual Trails of Vrindavan (2 Hours Guided Temples Walking Tour): $12
  • Tour of Ancient Art Work in Agra with a local - Also Meet the Artisians: $12
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Mathura (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Agra $8.48


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Agra, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Agra 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 Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra than you might in Agra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Petra or Agra?

Agra has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Agra, 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.