Which place is cheaper, Varanasi or Tehran?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tehran or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Tehran and Varanasi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Tehran or Varanasi?
Tehran
The capital of Iran, Tehran is a cosmopolitan city with great museums, art galleries, parks, restaurants, and more. It is located in the northernmost part of Central Iran at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Some of the most popular attractions include the Treasury of the National Jewels, Golestan Palace, and the Tajrish Bazaar.
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 Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Tehran Prices
Iran PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTehran $2.72Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Tehran is $2.72, 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 Tehran and Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTehran $1.91Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTehran $3.82Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Tehran and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Tehran 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.
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: Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tehran $0.01Varanasi $4.32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $97
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Tehran or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi and Tehran 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 dayTehran $0.75Varanasi $11
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$3.60
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
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tehran $0.14Varanasi $9.17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $268
- 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 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 Days Private Varanasi Tour Package: $160
- 3 Days Spiritual Tour in Varanasi: $289
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTehran -Varanasi $6.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tehran and Varanasi, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Tehran much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tehran is in Middle East and Varanasi is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tehran would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tehran 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 Varanasi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varanasi than you might in Tehran.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tehran Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tehran or Varanasi?
Tehran has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Tehran 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.
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.