A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Kolkata (Calcutta) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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 Kolkata (Calcutta) can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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.

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Petra?

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

  • Petra Prices
    Jordan Prices
    Kolkata (Calcutta) Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Petra $153
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $42

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $42. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $30
Compare Hotels in Petra and Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)


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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Private Transfer from Petra to Aqaba Cruise Port: $71
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $94
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
  • Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
  • Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $33
  • Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $43
  • Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $44
  • Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $63
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $74
  • Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $22
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.

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).

  • Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $39
  • Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $39
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $40
  • Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $111

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $13
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:

  • Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
  • Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $44
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Private 3-Hour Petra Tour: The Treasury & Main Ancient Highlights: $75
  • Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145

Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:

  • Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
  • Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $22
  • Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $25
  • Flower Market Colors and Ganges Ghat Experience: $30
  • Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $35
  • Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $35
  • Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $39
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $39
  • Magic Hour Tour: $40
  • Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour: $42
  • Old City Walking Tour - North Kolkata: $42
  • Kolkata Private Half Day City Tour To Majestic Temples: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.

Related Articles for Petra
Related Articles for Kolkata (Calcutta)