A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Varanasi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai or Varanasi?

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 Sukhothai and Varanasi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Varanasi?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

Varanasi

Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.


Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Sukhothai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $78, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Sukhothai and Varanasi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sukhothai $25
    Varanasi $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sukhothai $50
    Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Varanasi

Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai or Varanasi? 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 Sukhothai


Hotels in Varanasi


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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices and Varanasi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sukhothai $18
    Varanasi $4.33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.84
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
  • Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
  • Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
  • Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
  • Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
  • From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
  • From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
  • Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Varanasi?

Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Sukhothai 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
    Sukhothai $35
    Varanasi $11

Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $3.62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class with Sona: $29
  • Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
  • Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
  • Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sukhothai $36
    Varanasi $9.20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.73

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

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

  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
  • 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
  • 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
  • 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
  • 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
  • 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sukhothai $14
    Varanasi $6.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Varanasi, we can see that Sukhothai is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Sukhothai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sukhothai than you might in Varanasi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Varanasi?

Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Varanasi, 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.