Which place is cheaper, Bangalore 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 Bangalore?
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 Bangalore 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 Bangalore?
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.
Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.
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 PricesBangalore Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Bangalore $47
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Bangalore is $47. 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 Bangalore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Bangalore $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Bangalore $36
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Bangalore
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Bangalore? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.39Bangalore $8.60
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$0.85
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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:
- 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
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $13
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore
Also for Bangalore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wild Life Jeep Safari Tour at Bannerghatta with Private Transfer: $71
- Vineyard Tour to Beautiful Nandi Hills including Wine Tasting & Private Transfer: $238
- Private Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Bengaluru Airport - 10PM to 6AM: $52
- Bengaluru to Bengaluru Airport (BLR) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru Arrival Transfer: $36
- Bengaluru City to Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR)- Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Bengaluru Airport Private Transfer Service: $235
- Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru Round-Trip Transfer: $72
- Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Mysore City Private Day Tour with Transfers: $67
- Bangalore Airport (BLR) Private Transfer to Bangalore City/Hotels: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Bangalore?
Prices for flights to both Bangalore 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 $11Bangalore $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$3.66
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
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $29
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Holy Chaat Varanasi Food Tour with 15 Plus Tastings: $31
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Ganga Aarti with Street Food Tour of Varanasi: $40
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Shobha: $40
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pop-Up Dinner in Bangalore with Focus on Sustainable Food: $22
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $45
- Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience: $60
- Cook, Dine & Connect: Indian Home Cooking in Bengaluru: $70
- Private Cooking Classes on a Farm in Bangalore City: $76
- Private South Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with a Local: $78
- Doctor led Bengaluru Food Tour Discover Authentic Local Cuisine: $93
- Private Bengaluru Food Walking Tour with Dinner: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.31Bangalore $9.72
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”: $272
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $44
- 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
- 2-Day Experience Sunrise Boat Ride & Evening Aarti: $317
- 3 Day Varanasi Ganga Aarti Tour with Sarnath Buddhist Temple: $144
Tours and Activities in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- (Mysuru) Mysore Day Out - A Royal Experience Private Tour from Bangalore: $125
- 2 day Motorcycle tour from Bangalore to Belur, Halebid & Shravanabelagola: $288
- 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra from Bangalore with Both Side Commercial Flight: $254
- 3 Days Private Tour of Hampi from Bengaluru: $276
- A Vijayanagara Tour through Hampi And Anegundi: $218
- All-Inclusive Bangalore Fullday or Halfday Tour with Hotel Pickup: $65
- Architecture Tour of Bangalore: $76
- Authentic Shopping Experience in Bangalore for Souvenirs & Gifts: $49
- Bangalore Birdwatching Tour with Local Guide: $200
- Bangalore City Tour (Lunch, Pick up & drop at hotel): $100
- Bangalore City Tour Full-Day Private: $204
- Bangalore Discovery: Full-Day Private Guided City Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.97Bangalore $8.05
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:
- Pub Crawl in Bengaluru - A lovely private evening experience with a local: $35
- Bangalore The Original Pub Crawl Tour: $45
- Bengaluru Pub Crawler - Nightlife Walking Tour: $89
- Bangalore Wine Trails: Grover Zampa Vineyard & Wine Tasting: $161
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Bangalore, we can see that Bangalore 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 Bangalore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangalore 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 Bangalore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Bangalore?
Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Bangalore, 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.