Which place is cheaper, Darjiling 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 Darjiling?
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 Darjiling 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 Darjiling?
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.
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
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 PricesDarjiling Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $35Darjiling $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $35, while the average daily cost in Darjiling is $44. 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 Darjiling in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Darjiling $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Darjiling $26
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Darjiling
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Darjiling? 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 Darjiling Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.84Darjiling $7.33
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$0.94
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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
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $168
- 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 Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $44
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $182
- Private Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra: $54
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Darjiling?
Prices for flights to both Darjiling 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 $12Darjiling $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$4.04
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: $17
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $24
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Yoga, Ayurveda, and Cooking Class with Boat Ride: $42
- Cooking Class with Sona: $43
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Darjiling $12
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$0.82
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
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi: $88
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 11 Days Spiritual Buddhist Circuit Tour: $1,343
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $48
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Spiritual Varanasi Tour With Transport and Guide: $150
- 2 Night 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi with Cruise Ride: $259
- 2 Nights 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi Tour with Cruise Ride: $376
- 2-Day Experience Sunrise Boat Ride & Evening Aarti: $329
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $208
- Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $30
- Darjeeling City Tour with Uber: $64
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $180
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $144
- Day Trip to Gangtok (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $144
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $144
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $144
- Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $103
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Gangtok (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.69Darjiling $8.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Darjiling, we can see that Darjiling 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 Darjiling would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darjiling 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 Darjiling Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Darjiling?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Darjiling, 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.