Which place is cheaper, Agra or Varanasi?
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 Varanasi or Agra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Agra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Varanasi or Agra?
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.
Agra
In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.
While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesAgra Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Agra $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 Varanasi and Agra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Agra $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Agra $28
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Agra
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Agra? 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 and Agra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.35Agra $9.09
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$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $98
- Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk with transfers: $79
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including transfers: $77
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
- Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $53
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $43
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $13
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Shikri and Abhaneri: $93
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur by Private Car: $91
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur: $90
- Transfer from Agra to Delhi Airport: $70
- Transfer from Agra or Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $140
- Transfer Agra to Delhi by Private AC Car: $75
- Transfer Agra To Jaipur By Ac Car With Fatehpur sikari.: $85
- Sunrise Taj Mahal Guided Tour with Skip the Line & Transfers: $31
- Smooth Departure Transfer by Car from Agra to Lucknow: $100
- Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
- Private Transfers from Agra to Major Cities – Flexible Options: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Agra?
Prices for flights to both Agra and Varanasi 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 dayVaranasi $11Agra $24
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$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $14
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $29
- Ganga Aarti with Street Food Tour of Varanasi: $40
- Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Dinner: $42
- Private Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings & Pickup: $44
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $50
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
Typical Food Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:
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Breakfast for Two$1.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agra's Tea demonstration & Food Tour: $15
- Agra's best cooking classes: $27
- Agra Street Food Tour and Sadar Bazar Walking Tour: $30
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
- Story of Spices- A Food Tour of Agra: $40
- Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $40
- Henna application session with dinner: $48
- Private Vegetarian Cooking Demonstration in Agra: $53
- 3-hour Private Cooking Lesson and Meal in a Local Agra Home: $71
- Agra Street Food Tour: $79
- An Evening Aarti at Khatoo Shyam Temple in Agra with Dinner: $84
- Mohabbat the Taj - A Creative Dance & Light Show with Dinner at Local Restaurant: $174
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.24Agra $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$0.74
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”: $270
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $180
- 2 Days Varanasi City Tour with Evening Aarti and Boat Ride: $100
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2 Night 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi with Cruise Ride: $233
- 2-Day Varanasi Experience – Temples, Ghats & Ganga Aarti: $140
- 2-Day Varanasi Heritage & Tradition Guided Tour: $156
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra
For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entry to the Red Fort for Two$6.32
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Taj Mahal for Two$16
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $74
- 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
- 2 Day Golden Triangle Private Tour From Agra: $205
- 2 Day: Jaipur Tour from Agra with 5 Star Hotel & Drop at Delhi: $216
- 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85
- 2 Days Private Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Overnight Tour: $118
- 2 Days Taj Mahal Agra Tour with Fatehpur Sikri From Delhi: $151
- 2 Days Taj Mahal Private Tour and Hidden Gems: $48
- 2 Days: Private Agra City Tour: $52
- 2-Day Agra Overnight Tour From Delhi by Car: $71
- 2-Day Private Taj Mahal,Agra City Tour From Mumbai By Flight: $116
- 2-Day Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri & Jaipur Heritage Tour from Agra: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.91Agra $8.48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Agra, we can see that Agra 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 Agra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Agra 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 Varanasi Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Agra?
Agra has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Agra, 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.