A Travel Price Comparison for India Varanasi vs. Kolkata (Calcutta) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varanasi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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 Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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.

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Varanasi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $16
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $32
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)


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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.95
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
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:

  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
  • Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
  • Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
  • Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
  • Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
  • Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
  • Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
  • Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34
  • From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $42
  • Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
  • From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport to Kolkata: $59
  • Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $59
  • Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $7.14
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
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:

  • Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
  • Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
  • 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
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $100
  • Evening Arti Boat Tour with Dinner: $142
  • Maharaja Boat Ride and Dinner: $303

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).

  • Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
  • Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $42
  • Dinner Cruise on Ganges Kolkata 3Hrs: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $10
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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:

  • Audio Guided Walking Tour of Banaras Ghats, Varanasi: $6.12
  • Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.68
  • Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.83
  • Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
  • Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.60
  • Ghats of Varanasi Morning Walking Tour: $9.81
  • Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
  • Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
  • Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
  • Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
  • Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13

Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:

  • 02 Days Guided Private Tour of Kolkata : $225
  • All inclusive full day tour of kolkata: $105
  • Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
  • Calcutta Contrast Tour: $37
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
  • Experience Kolkata in 2 Days like never before - Private Tour: $197
  • Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $120
  • Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
  • Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $153
  • Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Kolkata: $286
  • Gangasagar Pilgrimage - Private Day Tour from Kolkata: $200
  • Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip by Car, Walk & Sunset Cruise Excursion Trip: $111

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.85
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kolkata (Calcutta) is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kolkata (Calcutta) than you might in Varanasi.

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


Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.