Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Srinagar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Srinagar or Dharamsala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Srinagar 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: Srinagar or Dharamsala?
Srinagar
Lying on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is best known for its gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats as well as local traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.
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 Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySrinagar $26Dharamsala $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Srinagar is $26, 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 Srinagar and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSrinagar $15Dharamsala $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSrinagar $30Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Srinagar and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Srinagar 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: Srinagar Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Srinagar $2.56Dharamsala $5.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Srinagar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Srinagar:
- Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service: $16
- A Private Airport Transfer in Srinagar: $27
- Srinagar Airport Transfer: $28
- Airport Transfers: $30
- Premium Srinagar Airport Transfer: Cheap & Comfort: $31
- Srinagar Airport: One-Way Transfer Arrival and Departure: $36
- Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg: $37
- PRIVATE TOURS SRINAGAR FULL DAY CUM FOR TRANSFER AND TOURS.: $59
- Private Transfer from Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport to Srinagar: $70
- Private Transfer from Srinagar to Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport: $70
- Full Day Car for Transfer and Sightseeing Tours: $71
- Kashmir Transport Services for Transfers & Sightseeing Tours: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Srinagar or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Srinagar 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 daySrinagar $5.17Dharamsala $8.33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Srinagar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Srinagar.
- Candle Lit Romantic Dinner In Kashmir: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Srinagar $10Dharamsala $5.55
Tours and Activities in Srinagar
Here are a few actual costs in Srinagar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Srinagar : Old City Heritage Walking Tour: $48
- Sonamarg Day Tour: The Golden Meadow Adventure: $61
- Srinagar Splendors: A Private City Tour: $65
- Private Old City and Mughal Gardens Guided Tour: $68
- Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar: $71
- Enchanting Day Tour with Shikara Ride at Dal Lake: $80
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee, Guide & Shikara ride: $153
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee & Guide: $154
- Private Day Tour with Shikara Ride at Dal Lake: $190
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee, Guide, Shikara ride & Lunch: $195
- Kashmir Houseboat Tour Package for 3 Days: $209
- Pahalgam Panorama: An Enchanting Tour from Srinagar: $214
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
- 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
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $42
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $42
- Dharamshala Mcleodganj Tour: $48
- Guided Tour : Tibetan's Child Charity & Monastery Visit: $51
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $56
- Dharamshala: Monasteries and Nunneries Guided Tour: $56
- Dal Lake & Kangra Fort Guided Day Tour From Dharamshala: $79
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySrinagar $2.56Dharamsala $5.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Srinagar and Dharamsala, we can see that Dharamsala is more expensive. And not only is Srinagar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Srinagar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Srinagar 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 Srinagar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Srinagar Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Srinagar or Dharamsala?
Srinagar has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Srinagar 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.