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

Should you visit Varanasi or Jammu and Kashmir?

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 Jammu and Kashmir 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 Jammu and Kashmir?

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.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is a mountainous region of the northern Himalayas with sweeping valleys, stunning lakes, and snow-capped scenery dotted with temples. While the region has been known for a border dispute with Pakistan, the unrest has been quieting and tourism is beginning to make a comeback. The area typically draws trekkers, those hoping to visit sacred temples, and others looking to experience Himalayan culture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.


Which place is cheaper, Jammu and Kashmir or Varanasi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Varanasi Prices
    India Prices
    Jammu and Kashmir Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Varanasi $35
    Jammu and Kashmir $0.00

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $35, while the average daily cost in Jammu and Kashmir is $0.00. 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 Jammu and Kashmir in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $16
    Jammu and Kashmir -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $32
    Jammu and Kashmir $0.00
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Jammu and Kashmir

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Jammu and Kashmir? 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 Jammu and Kashmir


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.89
    Jammu and Kashmir -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

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


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.95
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

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

  • One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $8.27
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $12
  • Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $12
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
  • Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
  • Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $13
  • Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
  • Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
  • Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
  • Premium Varanasi Airport Transfer: Affordable & Comfortable: $25
  • Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
  • Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jammu and Kashmir

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jammu and Kashmir:

  • Leh Airport: One-Way Transfer Arrival and Departure: $5.91

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Jammu and Kashmir?

Prices for flights to both Jammu and Kashmir 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 $12
    Jammu and Kashmir -
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

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


  • Dinner In Town
    $4.08

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: $15
  • Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $18
  • Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
  • Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $32
  • 3-hour street food tour: $33
  • 3-hour street food tour: $33
  • Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
  • Yoga, Ayurveda, and Cooking Class with Boat Ride: $43
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
  • Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $10
    Jammu and Kashmir -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

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


  • Boat Ride
    $0.83

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

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

  • Tour with research Scholar, IITF LICENSE GUIDE: $2.36
  • Private Tour City Highlights with Ganges Boat Ride: $2.83
  • Surnise Tour with Boat ride - Ganga Arti Full Day: $2.85
  • Day Tour to Sarnath with Boating & Ganga Aarti: $4.84
  • Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $5.91
  • Full Day Private Tour with Sarnath & Ganga Aarti: $5.91
  • Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.98
  • Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.47
  • Varanasi & Sarnath Full-Day Guided Tour by Car: $8.86
  • City Highlights of the Day Tour & Ganges Dirfting: $8.86
  • Private City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Aarti: $8.87
  • Varanasi city lanes walking tour: $10

Tours and Activities in Jammu and Kashmir

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jammu and Kashmir are as follows:

  • “Gulmarg Day Tour: Explore the Meadow of Flowers”: $82
  • Afroz Tour and Travels: $171
  • Full Day Leh Monasteries Tour (Shey, Thiksey & Hemis): $76
  • Kashmir Tour Packages: $437

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.76
    Jammu and Kashmir -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Jammu and Kashmir, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Jammu and Kashmir much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jammu and Kashmir would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jammu and Kashmir 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 Jammu and Kashmir.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Jammu and Kashmir Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Varanasi or Jammu and Kashmir?

Jammu and Kashmir has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Jammu and Kashmir, 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.