Which place is cheaper, Delhi 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 Delhi?
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 Delhi 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 Delhi?
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.
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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 PricesDelhi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Delhi $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Delhi is $48. 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 Delhi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Delhi $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Delhi $42
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Delhi
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Delhi? 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 Delhi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.29Delhi $4.24
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$0.83
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $13
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.10
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Taxi to Airport$1.66
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Subway$0.33
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Uber Cab$0.83
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.56
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Auto-rickshaw$1.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Transfer from New Delhi to Agra by Private car: $100
- Transfer from Delhi airport to hotel: $50
- Transfer from Delhi Airport to Agra Hotel: $80
- Transfer Delhi to Agra by AC car with Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Visit: $80
- Same Day Agra from Delhi with Luxury Transfers : A Taj Trip: $90
- Safe Private Transfer From New Delhi Airport or Hotel to Agra: $19
- Round trip Airport to Hotel to Airport transfers: $34
- Round Trip Airport Transfer- From Delhi Airport to Hotel & Back to Delhi Airport: $80
- Red Fort: Delhi with Tickets Guide and Transfer: $14
- Private transfer from Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl Airport to Delhi Hotels: $57
- Private transfer Delhi to Agra: $30
- Private Transfer: Delhi to Corbett National Park with Brunch: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Delhi?
Prices for flights to both Delhi 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 $11Delhi $18
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$3.58
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
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $29
- Ganga Aarti with Street Food Tour of Varanasi: $40
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Dinner: $42
- Private Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings & Pickup: $44
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Indian Cooking Class with Hotel Pickup: $52
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Private Old Delhi Street Food Tour: 11 Tastings & Rickshaw Ride: $8.47
- Old Delhi Food Tour: 8 Tastings & Tuk-Tuk Ride with Local Expert: $14
- Delhi Guided Half Day Food Tour in Famous Markets: $19
- Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market, Temples and Rickshaw Ride: $21
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour Rickshaw Ride and Hidden Gems Walk: $21
- Old Delhi Food Tour with Pickup and Drop Off: $21
- Learn Indian Cooking From A Chef - Private Cooking Class: $22
- Old Delhi Food Tour Extravaganza!: $26
- Food Tour in Delhi: $26
- Online: Indian Food Cooking Class: $28
- Old Delhi Cultural, Temples, Heritage Walking Street Food Tour: $33
- Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Family Experience: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.11Delhi $17
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$0.73
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- Sunrise Boat Tour: $3.17
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Photo tour in holy Varanasi: $7.40
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $11
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $11
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $11
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Private Customizable Walking Tour with Local Guide: $11
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Explore the Old Varanasi City: Guided Walking Tour on foot: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$9.03
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Old & New Delhi Discovery: Private Full-Day Guided Tour”: $59
- "Taj Mahal" Tour from Delhi by India's Fastest Train (Gatiman Express): $95
- 01 Day Agra Tour With Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with Lunch: $60
- 02 Days Amritsar and Golden Temple Tour by Train from Delhi: $264
- 02 Days Jaipur Tour By Car From Delhi: $140
- 03 Days Private Ranthambore Wildlife Safari Tour From Delhi: $230
- 04-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra & Jaipur: $261
- 1 Day Delhi City Tour & 1 Day Agra Taj Mahal Private Combo Tour: $84
- 1 Day Delhi Sightseeing Tour by Car Explore Iconic Landmarks: $79
- 1 Day Delhi and 1 Day Jaipur Tour by Car - All Inclusive Tour: $254
- 1 Day Delhi and 1 Day Taj Mahal Tour by Car: $119
- 1 Day Jaipur Tour from Delhi: $211
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.81Delhi $7.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Delhi
Also in Delhi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $29
- Pub Crawl Delhi: $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Delhi, we can see that Delhi 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 Delhi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Delhi 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 Delhi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Delhi?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Delhi, 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.