Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Pushkar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pushkar or Dharamsala?
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 Pushkar and Dharamsala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pushkar or Dharamsala?
Pushkar
Pushkar is a city located in the state of Rajasthan, India. The city is considered a holy one; it's famous for its Brahma temple. It is also known for its ghats, its lake, and bazaar. Brahma is one part of the holy Hindu trinity and is known sit on a lotus flower (which is what 'Pushkar' translates to). In Hindu religion, Brahma is believed to be the creator of this world and Pushkar is the most important temple.
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 Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, and The Best Photography Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPushkar $28Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Pushkar is $28, 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 Pushkar and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPushkar $12Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPushkar $24Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Pushkar and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Pushkar 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: Pushkar Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pushkar $4.95Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pushkar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:
- From Private Transfer to Jaipur: $30
- From Pushkar : Private Transfer To Jodhpur: $30
- One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur: $36
- Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $43
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jaipur In AC Vehicle: $45
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Jodhpur Drop: $49
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $49
- Jodhpur :Private Transfer to Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Pushkar: $50
- Private Transfers Pushkar To New Delhi Drop: $61
- From Pushkar : Private Transfer To Udaipur: $65
- From Jaipur : Private Pushkar Transfer in AC Car: $66
- Private Transfer From Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Pushkar or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Pushkar 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 dayPushkar $10Dharamsala $8.34
Typical Food Prices in Pushkar
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:
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Lunch$2.39
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.Pushkar $8.22Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Pushkar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:
- Walking Sightseeing Tour With The Shine Pushkar: $6.26
- City Walking Tour-THE Pushkar Route: $6.76
- Spiritual City Walking tour -The Pushkar Route: $6.96
- Temples Walk around 52 Ghats ( Spiritual Tour )-The Pushkar Route: $7.00
- Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
- Afternoon Walking tour with Sunset & Arti -The Pushkar Route: $7.20
- Evening Walking Tour with Fire Rituals-The Pushkar Route: $7.20
- Evening Walking tour with Fire Ceremony - The Pushkar Route : $8.00
- Walking Sightseeing Tour - The Shine Pushkar: $8.23
- Pushkar City Walking Tour : $9.83
- Private Historical Walking Tour in Nasiyan Jain Temple: $9.84
- Cultural Walk of Pushkar (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
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): $13
- Walking the Spiritual Path (Guided 2-Hour Dharamshala Tour): $18
- McLeodGanj Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $18
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $25
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $26
- Cultural tour - Dharamshala & Mcleodganj for full day: $30
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $80
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $96
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPushkar $6.68Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pushkar and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Pushkar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pushkar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pushkar 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 Dharamsala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dharamsala than you might in Pushkar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pushkar Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pushkar or Dharamsala?
Dharamsala has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Pushkar. When comparing the sizes of Pushkar 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.