Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Udaipur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Udaipur or Sapa?
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 Udaipur and Sapa. 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: Udaipur or Sapa?
Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the "Venice of the East," is becoming increasingly popular as an Indian wedding destination as well as with travelers searching for a romantic and picturesque city, rich with history, scenic areas, and palaces.
The "City of Lakes" is located in south of Rajasthan. There are a total of ten lakes in the lake system, which are connected and sustain water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, which contributes to another reason for Udaipur's booming tourism: alcohol.
Udaipur has ideal climate and available water to support a liquor plant while a number of other Indian states ban the consumption of liquor altogether. Many local tourists, such as those from the neighboring dry state of Gujarat on the west, visit Udaipur specifically for this reason, especially considering that Gujarati alcohol prices are much higher and liquor must be purchased through the black market. It's no wonder why Udaipur is the destination for celebrations and vacation.
Udaipur has tropical weather and three main seasons, which are summer, monsoon, and winter. Winter, which takes place between September to March, is the most pleasant time to visit for sunny and warm days and cool nights.
Udaipur was also made famous in the James Bond film Octopussy. Several local hotels show the film nightly.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUdaipur $33Sapa $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Udaipur is $33, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $36. 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 Udaipur and Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUdaipur $16Sapa $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUdaipur $32Sapa $24
Compare Hotels in Udaipur and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Udaipur or Sapa? 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: Udaipur Hotel Prices and Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Udaipur $6.98Sapa $9.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Udaipur
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Udaipur:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:
- Private Transfer From Udaipur To Jodhpur Via Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur Jain Temple: $242
- From Private Transfer to Delhi, Jaipur, or Pushkar: $180
- Jagmandir Island And Sunset Boat Ride On Lake Pichola, Udaipur Without Transfers: $146
- One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur To Delhi: $144
- One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur To Agra: $132
- From Udaipur : Private Transfer To Ranthmbore: $118
- Dilwara Temples & Mount Abu: Private Day Trip with Transfer: $105
- One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur To Ranthmbore: $102
- Private Transfer From Udaipur To Jaisalmer Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $101
- From Udaipur Transfer To Jaisalmer Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $101
- One way City Transfer To/From Udaipur and Jaipur: $100
- One Way Transfer Service Udaipur To Jaisalmer Via Ranakpur: $96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.20
Is it cheaper to fly into Udaipur or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa and Udaipur 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 dayUdaipur $11Sapa $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Udaipur.
- Private Traditional Dinner with an Indian Family in Udaipur: $8.99
- 4-Hour Indian Food Cooking Class with full Meals: $12
- Enjoyable,homely & mom 's delicious cooking classes: $13
- Durga Cooking Class: $17
- mamta cooking class awarded by tripadvisor : $23
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $25
- Culinary Adventure: Make Pizza, Sip Wine At Royal Repast: $39
- 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session at Local Home (Udaipur): $50
- Private Rajasthani Cooking Class in an Udaipur Home: $51
- Jodhpur to Osian camel safari / Dinner At Dhani: $60
- Jodhpur, Osian camel ride &Dinner At Dhani (country side): $60
- Evening Cooking Session and Dinner with an Indian Family: $72
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.72
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.20
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Coffee (for Two)$2.40
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.96
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Pho Soup$0.60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Udaipur $10Sapa $6.13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Udaipur
Here are a few typical costs in Udaipur for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Palace Entrance Fee$1.20
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Lake Boat Tour$2.39
Tours and Activities in Udaipur
Here are a few actual costs in Udaipur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Udaipur City Tour by Private Vehicle: $92
- Guided Udaipur Tour With Drop Off To Jodhpur Next Day.: $135
- 3 Days Private Udaipur City Tour With Kumbhalgarh Fort & Ranakpur Jain Temple : $125
- 3 Days Private Udaipur Highlights Tour: $90
- 3 Days Private Udaipur Tour: $110
- 3 Night 4 Days Udaipur And Jodhpur Tour By Car & Driver: $180
- 3-Days Tour of Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur with Jodhpur Drop: $120
- 4 Night 5 Days Udaipur And Jodhpur Tour: $155
- 4 Night 5 Days Udaipur And Jodhpur Tour By Car & Driver: $162
- 6 - Days Udaipur and Mount Abu Tour: $300
- 7 - Days Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur Tour: $360
- 7 - Days Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur Tour: $246
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.60
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.80
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Walking Stick$0.20
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUdaipur $8.92Sapa $8.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Udaipur
Also in Udaipur, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $20
- Pub Crawl Udaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $35
- 3-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
- Pub Crawl Udaipur: $39
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$1.00
When comparing the travel costs between Udaipur and Sapa, we can see that Sapa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Udaipur Expensive? and Is Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Udaipur or Sapa?
Udaipur has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Udaipur and Sapa, 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.