Which place is cheaper, Chandigarh or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Chandigarh?
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 Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh?
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.
Chandigarh
As India's first planned city, Chandigarh is a city very distinct from the rest of the country. Much of its architecture is very modern and sits against a backdrop of the Shivalik Hills. Some of the best known attractions of Chandigarh include its rock garden, rose garden, and Sukhna Lake.
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 $30Chandigarh $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Chandigarh is $42. 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 Chandigarh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Chandigarh $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Chandigarh $36
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Chandigarh
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Chandigarh? 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 $4.94Chandigarh $11
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 Chandigarh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chandigarh:
- Private Transfer to/from Chandigarh and Amritsar: $71
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh City to Chandigarh (IXC) Airport: $37
- One-Way Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $36
- From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
- From Amritsar: Amritsar to Chandigarh Transfer: $80
- Delhi to Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Chandigarh to Chandigarh Airport Transfer: $16
- Chandigarh Airport Transfer: $25
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $54
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Affordable Chandigarh to Manali Transfer: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Chandigarh?
Prices for flights to both Chandigarh 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 $7.14Chandigarh $15
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
- 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
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Chandigarh $14
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: $6.59
- 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
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13
- Varanasi Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
Tours and Activities in Chandigarh
Here are a few actual costs in Chandigarh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day The Hipster Chandigarh Experience: $106
- Best of the Chandigarh (Guided Full Day City Tour): $131
- Best of the Chandigarh (Guided Full Day City Tour): $128
- Chandigarh Day Tour: $44
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $25
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $34
- Chandigarh Nature Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Experience): $14
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $34
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $25
- Chandigarh Private Full Day Tour : $65
- Chandigarh Walking Tour : $14
- Chandigarh Walking Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Chandigarh $8.19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Chandigarh, we can see that Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chandigarh 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 Chandigarh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Chandigarh?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Chandigarh. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Chandigarh, 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.