Which place is cheaper, Jaipur or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Jaipur $19
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Jaipur is $19. 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 $16Jaipur $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Jaipur $24
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 $4.94Jaipur $1.54
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$0.96
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Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $177
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Jaipur to New Delhi Hotel / Accommodation: $49
- Transfer from Jaipur to Delhi with Tajmahal sight seeing: $200
- Transfer From Jaipur To Udaipur Via Chittorgarh Fort: $85
- Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers: $231
- Same Day Ranthambore Safari From Jaipur With Transfer To Agra Including Tickets: $227
- Round trip airport Transfer Between Jaipur & Jaipur Airport JAI: $18
- Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tickets With Optional Transfers: $108
- Pushkar Sightseeing on Jaipur To Jodhpur Transfer: $86
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort: $245
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Jodhpur via Ajmer: $146
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $285
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort: $242
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 $7.14Jaipur $4.75
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$4.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
- 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
- Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
- India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
Typical Food Prices in Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
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Dinner$6.58
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Soda$0.12
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: $4.59
- Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $9.83
- Culture walking and food tour with guide in Jaipur.: $14
- Food Tour and Eat like Locals : $16
- Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class) : $16
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
- Cooking class demo with dinner : $21
- Jaipur Full Day Tour with local family dinner: $21
- Jaipur Cooking Class and home cooked dinner with Indian family: $21
- Traditional Dinner with Family including Transfers: $22
- Indian Home Based Cooking Class by Storyboard: $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Jaipur $3.81
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$0.84
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
- 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
- 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,439
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $49
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $162
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132
- 2 Days Varanasi Sightseeing Tour by Car: $320
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $150
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$1.20
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
- From Jaipur : Same Day Agra Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour: $149
- From Ranthambore Tiger Safari Private Day Tour: $130
- Guided Jaipur City Tour With Drop Off at Udaipur: $110
- Half Day Jaipur Shopping Tour With Local Tour Guide: $35
- Jaipur Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $10
- Same Day Taj Mahal Tour from Jaipur by Car: $250
- Taj Mahal City Tour by car or train from Jaipur: $105
- 02 Nights - 03 Days Jaipur-Agra Weekend Tours with hotel: $260
- 02 Nights - 03 Days Jaipur-Agra Weekend Tours without hotel: $170
- 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour: $21
- 1-Night Private Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Jaipur by Car: $248
- 2 Day Golden Triangle India Tour (Delhi - Agra - Jaipur): $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Jaipur $2.72
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: $32
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $39
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $39
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.