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 $35Agra $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $35, while the average daily cost in Agra is $55. 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 $16Agra $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Agra $30
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 $4.90Agra $10
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$0.95
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Rickshaw Ride$0.59
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: $174
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $59
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $40
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $40
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
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$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wildlife SOS Visit with One Way Transfer from Agra to Delhi: $55
- Vrindavan to Delhi private transfer: $28
- Visit to Jaipur 's Chokhi Dhani Tour on Agra to Jaipur Transfer: $73
- Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Transfer from Agra to Tundla railway station and vice versa: $34
- Transfer from Agra to New Delhi by Private Car: $60
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Shikri and Abhaneri: $104
- 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 To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $89
- Transfer From Agra Hotel To Agra Airport and vice versa: $22
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 $12Agra $27
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$4.09
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: $15
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $18
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $32
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $46
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $58
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $61
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$2.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Local Street Food Tour By TUK-TUK: $11
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $14
- Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $19
- Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
- Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $21
- Tuk-Tuk Ride and Street Food Tour with Spice Market: $22
- The Spirit of Agra - Old Market Walking and Food Tour: $26
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Tour with Indian Cooking Class: $27
- Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $30
- Cooking classes Tour Including Pickup And Dropping To Hotel: $31
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
- Old City Spiritual, Cultural & Local Street Food Tour: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Agra $19
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$0.83
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 05 Days, Exclusive & Historical Varanasi with Ayodhya Tour: $302
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $90
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $81
- 1 day Varanasi Tour: $87
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 14 Hours Morning Tour including Sarnath and Evening Ganga Arti : $85
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $177
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Spiritual Varanasi Tour With Transport and Guide: $180
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$7.11
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Taj Mahal for Two$18
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- Agra City Tour With Guide: $43
- Jaipur Overnight Tour from Agra : $300
- Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
- Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $42
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $41
- Tajmahal Sunrise And Sunset Tour in Agra with Fatehpur Sikri: $36
- "Yamuna Serenity: Backside Taj Mahal Tour": $104
- 05-Hours Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by TUK TUK: $5.00
- 1 Day Agra and 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour from Agra: $202
- 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
- 11-Hour Agra Day Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal : $20
- 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.78Agra $9.54
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.