A Travel Price Comparison for India Pune vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Pune?

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

  • Pune Prices
    India Prices
    Dharamsala Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pune $62
    Dharamsala $40

The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $62, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $40. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pune $22
    Dharamsala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pune $44
    Dharamsala $44
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.

Hotels in Pune


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: Pune Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pune $13
    Dharamsala $4.94

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: $36
  • Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer: $53
  • Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:

  • Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $34

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pune $29
    Dharamsala $14

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: $31
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $41
  • Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $57

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pune $16
    Dharamsala $5.36

Tours and Activities in Pune

For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Meher Retreat Day Picnic Ticket, Near Pune: $11
  • Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $12
  • Shaniwar Wada Walking Tour: $13
  • Night Walk Tour Pune: $13
  • Walking Tour of Pune (2 Hours Guided Walk): $13
  • Night Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
  • Private Walking Tour & Food tasting with a Local: $21
  • Pune Walking Tour with a Punekar: $21
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Pune with Local Snacks: $22
  • Food Walking Tour of 7 Local Food Tastings: $23
  • Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $24
  • Half-Day Private Irani Cafes Tour of Pune: $32

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 Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $78
  • Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $24
  • Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $40
  • Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $40
  • Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $94
  • Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $25
  • Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $54
  • The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pune $15
    Dharamsala $5.36

Sample the Local Flavors in Pune

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:

  • Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $38


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.

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