Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Pune?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pune or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pune 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: Pune or Dharamsala?
Pune
Located in Maharashtra, Pune is the state's second largest city and cultural capital. Not only is it a hub for museums, temples, beaches, and scenic overlooks, but it also has a thriving nightlife and general atmosphere due to the student population.
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 Cultural Tours in India, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, The Best Photography Tours in India, and The Best Religious Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPune $51Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $51, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $35. 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 Pune and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPune $23Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPune $46Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Pune and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Pune 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.
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: Pune Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pune $13Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pune Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $37
- Private Transfer from Pune to Nashik: $44
- Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer: $48
- Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
- Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Pune or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Pune 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 dayPune $18Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Street Food Tour with Cultural Charms of Pune: $21
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $32
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
- Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $53
- Organic Thai cooking class: $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pune $17Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Pune
For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pune Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.59
- Guided Tour to Shaniwar Wada & Peshwas legacy with Entrance: $9.82
- Skip the Line: Meher Retreat Day Picnic Ticket, Near Pune: $12
- Shaniwar Wada Walking Tour: $13
- Night Walk Tour Pune: $13
- Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk): $14
- Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $17
- Night Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
- Guided Tour to Shaniwar Wada Fort and Peshwas Legacy: $18
- Private Walking Tour & Food tasting with a Local: $21
- Pune Walking Tour with a Punekar: $21
- Cultural Walking Tour of Pune with Local Snacks: $23
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local - Full Day Guided Tour: $127
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $80
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour from Amritsar: $299
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Guided Andretta Artists' VIllage Tour: $98
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPune $15Dharamsala $5.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Pune
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $37
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pune and Dharamsala, we can see that Pune is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pune 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 Pune Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pune or Dharamsala?
Pune has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Pune 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.
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.