Which place is cheaper, Lucknow or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Lucknow?
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 Lucknow 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 Lucknow?
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.
Lucknow
Lucknow, located in the central region of Awadh, is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. With a very rich cultural and historical past, Lucknow has been at the heart of North Indian culture for many centuries. It thrives in areas of art, cuisine, dance, culture, music, and more.
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 $30Lucknow $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Lucknow is $46. 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 Lucknow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Lucknow $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Lucknow $38
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Lucknow
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Lucknow? 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 Lucknow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Lucknow $13
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:
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $41
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucknow
Also for Lucknow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lucknow to Kanpur: $28
- Private Transfer from Lucknow to Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Chaudhary Charan Singh (LKO) Airport to Lucknow: $41
- Lucknow Airport Transfer: $28
- Lucknow 3-Days Private Tour with Hotel and Transfers: $277
- Agra to Lucknow Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Lucknow?
Prices for flights to both Lucknow 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 $7.14Lucknow $17
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
- Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
- Cooking Classes in Varanasi for 2 Hours: $50
- 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
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $100
- Evening Arti Boat Tour with Dinner: $142
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucknow
For Lucknow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner With A Maharaja In Lucknow: $272
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Lucknow $14
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
- 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: $1,435
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days & 1 Night Exclusive Tour Package of Varanasi: $224
- 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $161
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Varanasi Sightseeing Tour by Car: $319
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $150
- 2 days Varanasi city Tour by a Vande Bharat train: $226
Tours and Activities in Lucknow
For Lucknow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Shravasti Tour From Lucknow: $108
- 6-Hour Lucknow Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Pickup: $80
- 8 Hour: Lucknow Full day City Sightseeing Trip: $61
- A Walking Tour for Vegetarian Foodies in Lucknow: $204
- Ayodhya Tour From Lucknow (Same Day): $284
- Best of Lucknow (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $83
- Colonial Walk of Lucknow (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Custom Private Lucknow Sightseeing Trip with Guided Trip: $61
- Day Tour Of Lucknow: $22
- From 5 Days Lucknow Ayodhya Prayagraj Varanasi Tour: $341
- From Ayodhya Private Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride: $132
- From Varanasi: One Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi: $144
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Lucknow $7.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucknow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucknow:
- Pub Crawl Lucknow: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Lucknow, we can see that Lucknow 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 Lucknow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucknow 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 Lucknow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Lucknow?
Lucknow has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Lucknow, 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.