Which place is cheaper, Kerala or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Varanasi or Kerala?
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 Kerala 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 Kerala?
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.
Kerala
Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.
This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.
Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.
The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Kerala $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Kerala 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 Kerala in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Kerala -
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Kerala $0.00
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Kerala
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Kerala? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Kerala -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.96
-
Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $177
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Trivandrum to Alleppey Private Transfer: $114
- Trivandrum Airport Transfer to Trivandrum Hotels: $47
- Private Transfer:Fort Kochi to Munnar: $100
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Munnar: $105
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Kochi Hotels: $50
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Cochin Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $45
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum City to Trivandrum (TRV) Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum Airport to Kovalam Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum Airport to City Hotel: $23
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $35
- Private Transfer from Kochi City to Kochi (COK) Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Kochi (COK) Airport to Kochi City: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Kerala?
Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 dayVaranasi $7.14Kerala -
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.
- Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
- Private candle light dinner: $22
- 4-Hour Private Cooking Class in Munnar: $26
- Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $33
- Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
- Get a Glimpse into a Traditional Nair Household during a Private Cooking Class: $45
- Kathakali Dance Show in Kochi with Dinner and Hotel Pick Up: $61
- Traditional Kerala Cooking Class in a Local Home in Kochi: $66
- Private Cooking Demonstration for Your Group in a Kochi Home: $75
- Kochi Over View & Kathakali & Dinner.Tour: $75
- Cooking experience in Kochi, a half day tour: $128
- Kathakali Classical Dance Performance with Dinner: $141
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Kerala -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
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 Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.61
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $11
- Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
Tours and Activities in Kerala
Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Cochin Tour (From City Hotel Only): $59
- Half Day Hiking in Munnar Trekking Tour: $15
- Wild Elephant Anakulam & Waterfalls Tour(munnar valley Trekking): $62
- "Day Trip to Varkala from Trivandrum (Guided Full Day City Tour)": $148
- 12 Hours Private Munnar Tour from Kochi: $135
- 2-Hours Street Food Guided Tour of Thiruvananthapuram: $25
- 3-4 hours Kochi Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $12
- 4 Days Best of Kerala Tour with Private Houseboat, Sightseeing & Car: $212
- 4 Hours Private Village Life Experience in Kochi with Pickup: $69
- 5 Days Budget Kerala Tour Packages: $282
- A private guided day tour in kochi: $150
- Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in kochi - A Private Guided Tour with Hotel Pick up : $14
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Kerala -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Kerala, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Kerala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kerala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kerala 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 Kerala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Kerala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Varanasi or Kerala?
Kerala has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Kerala, 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.