Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Rajasthan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rajasthan or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Rajasthan 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: Rajasthan or Dharamsala?
Rajasthan
It's time to visit the world of harems and maharajahs, palaces and fortresses, incense and mysticism. Rajasthan is a state in the northwest of India full of history and magnificent forts – the best in the country. Known as the Land of Kings, Rajasthan really has something for everyone. With sand dunes, jungles, camel trains, wild tigers, glittering jewels, vibrant cultures and a calendar full of festivals, this area is a must-see spot in this bucket list country.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRajasthan $0.00Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Rajasthan is $0.00, 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 Rajasthan and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRajasthan -Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRajasthan $0.00Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Rajasthan and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Rajasthan 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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rajasthan -Dharamsala $5.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rajasthan
Also for Rajasthan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers Between Sawai Madhopur Railway Station To Hotels drop: $6.14
- Private Transfer From Jodhpur Airport To Jodhpur Hotels: $8.00
- Private Transfer Jaipur Hotels To Jaipur Airport (JAI) Drop: $9.23
- Private Airport Transfer :- From Jaipur International Airport to Hotel: $10
- Private Train Station Transfer :- From Jaipur Train Station to Hotel: $10
- Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $12
- Round Trip Transfers to Ranthambore Fort Ganesh Temple in a Gypsy: $12
- Affordable Jodhpur Airport Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer From Jaipur to Agra including Fatehpur Sikri: $15
- Private Transfer From Udaipur Airport To Udaipur Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Udaipur Hotel To Udaipur Airport: $17
- One Way Transfer from Jaipur : $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Chandigarh to Dharamshala Transfer: $85
- Airport to Dharamshala transfer: $50
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Rajasthan or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Rajasthan 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 dayRajasthan -Dharamsala $8.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rajasthan
For Rajasthan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaipur Street food tour: $4.59
- chai and pakora cooking class: $6.15
- Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $9.83
- Half Day Osian Village Safari Tour with Dinner: $11
- Enjoyable,homely & mom 's delicious cooking classes: $13
- Cooking Class With Indian family : $15
- Food Tour and Eat like Locals : $16
- Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class) : $16
- Durga Cooking Class: $17
- 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session At Local Home: $20
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
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.Rajasthan -Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Rajasthan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rajasthan.
- Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Jaipur by Car: $5.00
- Private Full Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour By Tuk Tuk: $6.00
- Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $6.14
- Jaipur customized Half Day Tour: $6.56
- City Walking Tour-THE Pushkar Route: $6.76
- Private Full-Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $6.77
- Private Sightseeing Tour of Jaipur by Tuk-Tuk: $6.77
- Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
- Skip the Line Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour from Jaipur: $7.00
- Temples Walk around 52 Ghats ( Spiritual Tour )-The Pushkar Route: $7.00
- Private Jaipur Full-Day Tour by Tuk-Tuk Safari: $7.38
- Private: Full-Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $7.38
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 dayRajasthan -Dharamsala $5.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Rajasthan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Rajasthan:
- Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $20
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $39
- Pub Crawl Udaipur: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rajasthan and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Rajasthan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rajasthan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rajasthan 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 Rajasthan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rajasthan Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Rajasthan or Dharamsala?
Rajasthan has a larger population, and is about 3140 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Rajasthan 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.