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

Should you visit Varanasi or Mysore?

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 Mysore 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 Mysore?

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.

Mysore

Also known as Mysuru, Mysore is the state of Karnataka's second biggest city behind Bangalore (also called Bengaluru) in southern India. Its landmark attraction is the Mysore Palace, though it also features memorable temples, markets, and a renowned annual festival in September-October.

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, Mysore 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
    Mysore Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Varanasi $34
    Mysore $41

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $34, while the average daily cost in Mysore is $41. 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 Mysore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $16
    Mysore $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $32
    Mysore $28
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Mysore

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Mysore? 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 Mysore


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 Mysore Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.77
    Mysore $7.70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

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


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.92
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

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

  • Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $57
  • Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $11
  • Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
  • Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $11
  • Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $11
  • Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
  • Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
  • Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $45
  • Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $11
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mysore

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

  • Private Transfer from Mysore to Bangalore Airport: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Mysore?

Prices for flights to both Mysore 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
    Mysore $19
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

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


  • Dinner In Town
    $3.98

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: $17
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $17
  • Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
  • Varanasi Food Tour with Monu : $30
  • 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
  • Yoga, Ayurveda, and Cooking Class with Boat Ride: $41
  • Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
  • Cooking Class with Sona: $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $10
    Mysore $8.97
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

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


  • Boat Ride
    $0.81

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

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

  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
  • 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $90
  • 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi: $78
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
  • 11 Days Spiritual Buddhist Circuit Tour: $1,310
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $47
  • 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
  • 2 Days & 1 Night Exclusive Tour Package of Varanasi: $224
  • 2 Days Spiritual Varanasi Tour With Transport and Guide: $180
  • 2 Night 3 Days Spiritual Varanasi with Cruise Ride: $251
  • 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $105

Tours and Activities in Mysore

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

  • 6-Hours Mysuru Cultural Tour with Guide and Transportation: $95
  • 6-Hours Mysuru Cultural Tour with Guide and Transportation: $95
  • Bangalore - Full day private excursion tour to Mysore with lunch : $140
  • Bangalore to Mysore Royal Palace Full Day Tour: $120
  • Bangalore: Mysore Full-day Private Tour with Guide and Lunch: $114
  • Bangalore: Mysore Private Day Tour with Lunch & Entry Fees: $139
  • Bengaluru, Mysore, & Ooty: 6-Day Sightseeing Tour: $404
  • Day Trip to Brindavan Gardens & Srirangapatna (Guided Sightseeing Tour by Car): $128
  • Day Trip to Chikmagalur (Guided Sightseeing Tour by Car from Mysore): $140
  • Day Trip to Mysore (Guided Sightseeing tour from Bangalore): $133
  • Day Trip to Wayanad (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Mysore): $140
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Mysore: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.57
    Mysore $9.19


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Mysore, we can see that Mysore 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 Mysore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mysore 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 Mysore Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Mysore?

Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Mysore. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Mysore, 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.