Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Uttar Pradesh?
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 Uttar Pradesh or Dharamsala?
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 Uttar Pradesh and Dharamsala. 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: Uttar Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is a state in the northern plains region of India. The vast region has an ancient and interesting history which has even been said to have inspired two great epics of India, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is most famous for the Taj Mahal, located in Agra - the tourist capital of the region.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, and The Best Cultural Tours in India.
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Uttar Pradesh Prices
India PricesDharamsala Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUttar Pradesh $42Dharamsala $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Uttar Pradesh is $42, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $39. 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 Uttar Pradesh and Dharamsala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUttar Pradesh $15Dharamsala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUttar Pradesh $30Dharamsala $44
Compare Hotels in Uttar Pradesh and Dharamsala
Looking for a hotel in Uttar Pradesh 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.Uttar Pradesh $7.43Dharamsala $4.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Uttar Pradesh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Uttar Pradesh:
- Agra: Create Your Own Itinerary - Private Tour & Transfer: $4.04
- Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
- Private Lucknow Arrival Transfer - Airport to Lucknow Hotels drop: $8.67
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer Agra to Jaipur with Fatehpur Sikri: $20
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Private Transfer From Agra To Jaipur with Fatehpur Sikri: $23
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Private Transfers from Agra to Major Cities – Flexible Options: $27
- Agra: Half Day Tour of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with Transfers: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Uttar Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Uttar Pradesh 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 dayUttar Pradesh $19Dharamsala $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Uttar Pradesh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Uttar Pradesh.
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $17
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
- Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $21
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
- Varanasi: 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Watch Bollywood Movie with Dinner in Agra: $35
- Seth Gali Bazaar Walk with Lavish on table barbecue dinner: $38
- Dinner at Agra with local Indian family : $40
- Cooking Class with Sona: $42
- Varanasi: Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
- Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Uttar Pradesh $11Dharamsala $5.27
Tours and Activities in Uttar Pradesh
Here are a few actual costs in Uttar Pradesh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Optional Add-ons: $2.20
- Agra: Taj Mahal and Mausoleum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line: $2.25
- Tajmahal skip the line : $2.50
- Lucknow Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.84
- Agra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $3.85
- Agra: Skip the Line Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Private Day Tour: $4.00
- Private Guided Taj Mahal Tour with Skip The Line Entry Ticket: $4.00
- Agra: Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry: $4.62
- Private Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Fort Skip the Line Tour : $4.62
- Taj Mahal Skip the Line Private Guided Tour: $5.00
- Skip-the-Line Guided Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Add-ons: $5.00
- Skip-The-Line Taj Mahal Private Guided Tour : $5.00
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): $14
- McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $20
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $40
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $40
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $64
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $89
- Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $98
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUttar Pradesh $6.09Dharamsala $5.27
Sample the Local Flavors in Uttar Pradesh
Also in Uttar Pradesh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Lucknow: $37
When comparing the travel costs between Uttar Pradesh and Dharamsala, we can see that Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Uttar Pradesh or Dharamsala?
Uttar Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 8500 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Uttar Pradesh 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.