A Travel Price Comparison for India Varanasi vs. Haridwar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varanasi or Haridwar?

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 Haridwar 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 Haridwar?

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.

Haridwar

A spiritual journey is not complete without a trip to Haridwar as it is the lands of legends and tales cleansed by the Holy Ganga and regarded as the Holiest places for washing of sins. Haridwar is located on the foothills of the Himalayas making the place a truly memorable experience. After making a Haridwar Darshan, you will find most of your answers regarding the unknown and uncertainties. Rishikesh is very close to Haridwar, for waking the adrenaline rush in you. One can plan out so many activities to do in Haridwar for a fun filling vacation.

Which city is cheaper, Haridwar or Varanasi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $25, while the average daily cost in Haridwar is $25. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Varanasi and Haridwar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $13
    Haridwar $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $26
    Haridwar $26
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Haridwar

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Haridwar? 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.

Hotels in Varanasi


Hotels in Haridwar


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 Haridwar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.04
    Haridwar $4.33
Typical Local Transportation prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.98
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
  • Echoes of Varanasi, India (Private Tour, Transfers & Guide): $128
  • Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $127
  • From Day tour to Rajdari and Devdari Waterfalls with transfers: $87
  • Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $70
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Location: $55
  • Private Transfer : Varanasi Hotel to Varanasi Airport: $53
  • Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport (VNS) to Varanasi Hotel: $48
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport (VNS) to Varanasi Hotel: $47
  • Boat ride on the Ganges to Ramnagar fort with Transfers: $43
  • From Day tour To Sarnath With Transfers: $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haridwar

Also for Haridwar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $50
  • One way Transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $45
  • Affordable transfer from Haridwar to Delhi: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Haridwar?

Prices for flights to both Haridwar 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Varanasi $5.82
    Haridwar $8.25
Typical Food prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $4.21

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 of Benares - the Food Specialties of Kashi / Varanasi / the Ghats: $36
  • Indian Cooking Classes with Local Chef in Varanasi: $37
  • From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $40
  • Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $43
  • 3-hour Home Cooking Food tour with a local Family: $43
  • Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Evening Boat ride & Dinner: $43
  • From Varanasi:3-hour home cooking tour with a local family: $43
  • 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $43
  • Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
  • 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $44
  • 5:hours Private Evening Aarti With Rooftop Dinner: $62
  • Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $8.56
    Haridwar $7.48
Typical Entertainment prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.85

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $94
  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $50
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $50
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $91
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Days Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $170
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $180
  • 2 Days Varanasi Tour: $149
  • 2 Days Varanasi Tour With Sarnath: $331
  • 2 Days Varanasi private tour: $133
  • 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $148

Tours and Activities in Haridwar

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Haridwar.

  • 3 Day Rishikesh Walking Tour Experience: $359
  • 5-Day Private Camping Tour of Haridwar Kumbh Mela with Meals: $917
  • 9 Day Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar | Chardham Yatra Tour Package from Haridwar: $383
  • Char Dham Yatra Group Tour From Haridwar 2020: $352
  • Chardham Yatra Tour Package: $273
  • Day tour Haridwar Rishikesh Ganges: $79
  • From Delhi: 2-Day Tour of Rishikesh and Haridwar: $396
  • Gangotri Yatra Tour Package Cost From Haridwar 2 Night 3 Days: $220
  • Group Tour: Chardham Yatra From Haridwar Fixed Departure: $416
  • Haridwar - Full day Sightseeing: $114
  • Haridwar Private Walking Tour: $20
  • Haridwar Tanga Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $6.41
    Haridwar $5.56


When comparing the travel costs between Varanasi and Haridwar, we can see that Haridwar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Budget Your Trip

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Varanasi vs. Haridwar Travel Comparison

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