Which place is cheaper, Jaipur 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 Jaipur?
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 Jaipur 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 Jaipur?
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.
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 PricesJaipur Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Jaipur $20
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Jaipur is $20. 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 Jaipur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Jaipur $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Jaipur $20
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Jaipur
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Jaipur? 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 Jaipur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.29Jaipur $1.26
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:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk with transfers: $79
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including transfers: $77
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $68
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $53
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Two Night Safari Experience Ranthambore National Park &Transfers: $265
- Transfer from Jaipur to Delhi with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Sanganer - A Visit to an Artisan Community with Private Transfer: $105
- Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers: $204
- Round trip airport Transfer Between Jaipur & Jaipur Airport JAI: $16
- Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tickets With Optional Transfers: $108
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $247
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Jodhpur via Ajmer: $126
- Private transfer Jaipur to Pushkar: $11
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $250
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort: $211
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri with lunch: $214
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayVaranasi $11Jaipur $7.55
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 Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
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Dinner$5.71
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Soda$0.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Feast on the Streets: Best Jaipur Food Tour: $14
- Jaipur Half-Day Evening Tour with Sunset and Dinner: $15
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $17
- Cooking Class in Jaipur with all Transport & Meals: $18
- Jaipur Pink City Cooking Class: $19
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Food Tour and Eat like Locals: $20
- Jaipur Cooking Class and home cooked dinner with Indian family: $21
- Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $21
- Indian Home Based Cooking Class by Storyboard: $23
- Pink City Cooking Class: $23
- Jaipur Cooking Class with a Local Family in Jaipur: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.11Jaipur $3.31
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:
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Varanasi City Tour with Evening Aarti and Boat Ride: $100
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2 Night 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi with Cruise Ride: $233
- 2-Day Varanasi Experience – Temples, Ghats & Ganga Aarti: $140
- 2-Day Varanasi Heritage & Tradition Guided Tour: $156
- 2-Day Experience Sunrise Boat Ride & Evening Aarti: $317
- 3 Day Varanasi Ganga Aarti Tour with Sarnath Buddhist Temple: $144
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $117
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $120
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Palace Entry for Two$1.04
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
- 06 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Ranthambore Tiger Safari: $415
- 1 Day: Jhalana Leopard Safari+Abhaneri Step Well Tour From Jaipur: $272
- 1-Night Private Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Jaipur by Car: $148
- 2 - Days Mandawa Guided Tour From Jaipur With Bikaner Drop: $136
- 2 D Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Abhaneri Step Well's Tour From Jaipur: $191
- 2 Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Delhi From Jaipur: $189
- 2 Day Heritage Pink City Jaipur Highlight & Sightseeing Tour: $170
- 2 Day Jaipur Private Tour + Entry Tickets: $99
- 2 Day Jaipur Tour for Authentic Experiences: $30
- 2 Day Jaipur Tour for First-Time Visitors: $26
- 2 Day Jaipur Tour with Car and Guide: $48
- 2 Days : Guided Agra Tour From Jaipur With Drop at New Delhi: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.81Jaipur $2.48
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaipur
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaipur:
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $34
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Jaipur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Jaipur?
Jaipur has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Jaipur, 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.