Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Kolkata (Calcutta) $37
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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Kolkata (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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.92Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.09
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$0.95
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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:
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Airport transfer from hotel: $12
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Premium Varanasi Airport Transfer: Affordable & Comfortable: $26
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $30
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $34
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: $134
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $61
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $28
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Airport Transfer in Kolkata: $35
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
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Food Meals for one dayVaranasi $7.10Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
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$4.11
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: $16
- 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
- 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
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
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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$0.83
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour City Highlights with Ganges Boat Ride: $2.58
- Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.62
- Day Tour to Sarnath with Boating & Ganga Aarti: $4.89
- Sights & Highlights tour: $5.65
- Full Day Private Tour with Sarnath & Ganga Aarti: $5.96
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $5.96
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Varanasi city lanes walking tour: $8.35
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.55
- Varanasi & Sarnath Full-Day Guided Tour by Car: $8.94
- City Highlights of the Day Tour & Ganges Dirfting: $8.94
- Private City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Aarti: $8.95
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
- 2 days private tour of kolkata city and Bishnupur by car: $280
- Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
- Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $81
- Calcutta Contrast Tour: $37
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $31
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Experience Kolkata in 2 Days like never before - Private Tour: $147
- Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $110
- Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $76
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Kolkata: $293
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.82Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.23
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.
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.