Should you visit Varanasi or Jaipur?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Varanasi and Jaipur can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Jaipur
Jaipur, India, famously known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and is often a highlight for many travelers to the area. Dating back to the eighteenth century, it is part of the Indian Golden Triangle which also includes Delhi and Agra. It's also a stopping off point for travelers venturing into the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The city has a population of about 6.66 million people, making it the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and the tenth largest city in the country.
Which city is cheaper, Jaipur or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $27, while the average daily cost in Jaipur is $17. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Varanasi and Jaipur in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $30 for a double occupancy room in Varanasi If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Travelers usually pay around $20 for a double occupancy room in Jaipur If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Varanasi cost around $6.44 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $2.58.
In Jaipur travelers spend around $4.28 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Varanasi $6.44
Jaipur $4.28
Typical Food prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Local Uttrakhand Cuisine Cooking Class in Rishikesh:
$9.89
-
Udaipur Food Tour:
$12
-
Authentic Indian Tea Brewing and Paratha Cooking Private Online Class:
$15
-
Hyderabad Street Food Tour:
$16
-
Wagah Beating Retreat Border Ceremony (with Dinner) in Amritsar:
$16
-
Authentic Maharashtrian Cuisine Private Virtual Cooking Class from Mumbai:
$18
-
Mandovi River Dinner Cruise in Goa:
$19
-
Cooking Class And Dining Experience In Varanasi:
$20
-
North Kerala Culinary Food Tour in Thalassery:
$24
-
Mumbai Walking Food Tour:
$25
-
Cooking and Dining Experience in Agra:
$27
-
Cooking Class with a Local Family in Mumbai:
$36
Typical Food prices in Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Jaipur Street food tour:
$5.16
-
Local Uttrakhand Cuisine Cooking Class in Rishikesh:
$9.89
-
2 Hours Private Cooking Classes of Masala Chai Tea and Pakoras:
$11
-
Udaipur Food Tour:
$12
-
Samosa & Masala Chai Cooking Class:
$12
-
Authentic Indian Tea Brewing and Paratha Cooking Private Online Class:
$15
-
Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class):
$15
-
Hyderabad Street Food Tour:
$16
-
Wagah Beating Retreat Border Ceremony (with Dinner) in Amritsar:
$16
-
Authentic Indian Vegetarian Lunch / Dinner Buffet:
$17
-
Authentic Maharashtrian Cuisine Private Virtual Cooking Class from Mumbai:
$18
-
Mandovi River Dinner Cruise in Goa:
$19
Local Transportation
Varanasi's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.46 per person, per day on transportation in Varanasi.
Jaipur's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $1.39 per person, per day on transportation in Jaipur.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town
$1.08
-
Rickshaw Ride
$0.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private City Transfers between Manali and Leh:
$267
-
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
-
Private City Transfers between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, Daman & Diu:
$96
-
From Day tour to Rajdari and Devdari Waterfalls with transfers:
$87
-
Private City Transfers from Mumbai to Gokarna, Kolhapur & Aurangabad:
$74
-
Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer:
$70
-
Private City Transfers between Bangalore and Hampi:
$69
-
Private Transfers From Delhi To Jim Corbett National Park:
$59
-
Private City Transfers between Amritsar and Dalhousie, Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala or Bir:
$59
-
Private City Transfers between Ahmedabad and Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh:
$58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
private transfer from jaipur airport to hotel drop in jaipur:
$10
-
Transfer from Jaipur to Delhi with Tajmahal sight seeing:
$187
-
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport Private Transfers (SXR) for Srinagar:
$14
-
Sanganer - A Visit to an Artisan Community with Private Transfer:
$100
-
Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers:
$213
-
Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tickets With Optional Transfers:
$86
-
Pune International Airport Private Transfers (PNQ) for Pune:
$19
-
Professional Tie and Dye Class in Jaipur with Private Transfers:
$163
-
Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort with lunch:
$267
-
Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort:
$236
-
Private transfer: Jaipur to Jodhpur via Ajmer:
$166
-
Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort with lunch:
$279
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Jaipur?
Prices for flights to both Jaipur 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Varanasi can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $9.47 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Jaipur can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $3.44 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Explore Old City of Hyderabad with Experienced Storyteller Online Experience:
$19
-
Instagram Tour in Delhi:
$101
-
Lamadug Trekking Day Tour from Manali:
$21
-
Mathura Vrindavan, Taj Mahal and Agra City Private Day Tour from Delhi:
$118
-
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
-
11D10N Golden Triangle and Holy City Private Tour from Delhi:
$863
-
2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi:
$189
-
2 Days Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi:
$170
-
2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi:
$180
Typical Entertainment prices in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Palace Entry for Two
$1.35
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
-
Explore Old City of Hyderabad with Experienced Storyteller Online Experience:
$19
-
Instagram Tour in Delhi:
$101
-
Lamadug Trekking Day Tour from Manali:
$21
-
Mathura Vrindavan, Taj Mahal and Agra City Private Day Tour from Delhi:
$118
-
03 Days Private Wildlife Ranthambore Tiger Tour from Jaipur:
$309
-
1 Day Jaipur Tour:
$40
-
1 Day tour for Jaipur sightseeing:
$34
-
1-Night Private Tour to Ranthambhore Tiger Safari from Jaipur:
$661
-
1-Night Private Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Jaipur by Car:
$248
-
10-Days Private Tour of Rajasthan from Jaipur:
$360
-
11D10N Golden Triangle and Holy City Private Tour from Delhi:
$863
-
2 D Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Abhaneri Step Well's Tour From Jaipur:
$139
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Varanasi spend on average $7.08 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Jaipur, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $2.45.
Sample the Local Flavors in Varanasi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Varanasi:
-
Pub Crawl in Delhi:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Pune:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Mumbai:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Jaipur:
$18
-
Udaipur Pub Crawl:
$19
-
South Mumbai Pub Crawl:
$19
-
Pub Crawl In Bangalore:
$19
-
Pub Crawl in Goa:
$20
-
Sula Vineyards with Wine Tasting Day Tour from Mumbai:
$49
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaipur
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaipur:
-
Pub Crawl in Delhi:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Pune:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Mumbai:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Jaipur:
$18
-
Udaipur Pub Crawl:
$19
-
South Mumbai Pub Crawl:
$19
-
Pub Crawl In Bangalore:
$19
-
Pub Crawl in Goa:
$20
-
Pub Crawl Jaipur:
$21
-
Pub Crawl Jaipur:
$25
-
Nightlife of Jaipur - Pub Crawl:
$25
-
Sula Vineyards with Wine Tasting Day Tour from Mumbai:
$49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Jaipur, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Jaipur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaipur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaipur 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 Varanasi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varanasi than you might in Jaipur.
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