Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Amritsar?
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 Amritsar 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 Amritsar?
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.
Amritsar
Amritsar is a holy city of the Sikh religion, named "holy pool of nectar" for the pool around the base of the Golden Temple complex. This complex is the city's main attraction, bringing pilgrims from all over to bathe in the waters of the sacred pool and visit the sacred temple.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Amritsar $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $53. 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 Amritsar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Amritsar $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Amritsar $46
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Amritsar
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Amritsar? 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 Amritsar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Amritsar $16
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$0.96
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Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $177
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:
- Private Wagah Border Drama and the Golden Temple with Transfer: $151
- From Amritsar Airport Transfer: $28
- Chandigarh to Amritsar Transfer: $71
- Airport/Hotel Transfer to Chandigarh Airport/Hotel: $71
- Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $98
- Amritsar Airport Transfer: $12
- Affordable Amritsar airport transfer: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Amritsar?
Prices for flights to both Amritsar 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 $7.14Amritsar $19
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$4.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
- 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
- Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
- India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amritsar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amritsar.
- Amritsar Food Tour: $22
- Flavors of Amritsar (2-Hour Guided Street Food Tour Walk): $24
- Amritsar Food Tour: $31
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Dinner: $45
- Indo-Pak Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border & Dinner: $60
- Evening Tour to Sadda Pind with Dinner: $67
- Beating Retreat Ceremony, Sadda Pind and Dinner: $71
- Private Farm-Fresh Punjabi Cooking Class in Amritsar: $136
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Amritsar $15
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$0.84
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.61
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $11
- Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
Tours and Activities in Amritsar
Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5-hour Amritsar city tour with a guide and local transport: $83
- Amritsar 02 days Tour: $216
- Amritsar 1 Day Guided Tour-Golden Temple, Jalliawala Bagh, Wagah: $74
- Amritsar 1 Day Sightseeing with Wagah Border: $36
- Amritsar 1 Day Tour (Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border & Shopping): $39
- Amritsar 1 Night / 2 Days Tour: $67
- Amritsar City Tour: $41
- Amritsar City Tour ( EXCLUDING WAGAH BORDER) : $55
- Amritsar City Tour ( Including Wagah Border Ceremony): $60
- Amritsar City Tour with Wagah Border and Sadda Pind Village: $101
- Amritsar Full Day Private Tour: $60
- Amritsar Full Day Tour (Golden Temple with Wagah Border): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Amritsar $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Amritsar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Amritsar:
- Pub Crawl Amritsar: $39
- Pub Crawl Amritsar (3 hours pub hopping tour): $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar 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 Amritsar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amritsar 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 Amritsar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Amritsar?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Amritsar. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Amritsar, 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.