Which place is cheaper, Pune or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Pune?
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 Pune 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 Pune?
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.
Pune
Located in Maharashtra, Pune is the state's second largest city and cultural capital. Not only is it a hub for museums, temples, beaches, and scenic overlooks, but it also has a thriving nightlife and general atmosphere due to the student population.
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 $30Pune $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Pune is $51. 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 Pune in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Pune $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Pune $46
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Pune
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Pune? 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 Pune Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Pune $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 Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer: $48
- Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
- Pune Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer from Pune to Nashik: $44
- Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $37
- Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Pune?
Prices for flights to both Pune 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 $7.14Pune $18
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 Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Street Food Tour with Cultural Charms of Pune: $21
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $32
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
- Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $53
- Organic Thai cooking class: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Pune $17
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
- 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $120
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,439
- 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: $162
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132
Tours and Activities in Pune
For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Tour: Pune University Complex Cycling Private Tour: $139
- Agra Taj Tour from Pune: $220
- Airport pickup-drop, Mumbai sightseeing and outstation: $40
- All-in Phi Phi, Maiton, MayaBay, Khai, Bamboo islands Tour : $58
- Best of Pune Sightseeing with Food Tasting Tour by Private Car: $88
- Cultural Walking Tour of Pune with Local Snacks: $23
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour from Pune): $149
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Tour): $143
- Day Trip to Pune Curated Private Tour Experience from Mumbai: $159
- Discovering A Half-Day Guided Tour of Best Sights: $46
- Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $17
- Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Pune $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Pune
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $37
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Pune, we can see that Pune 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 Pune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pune 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 Pune Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Pune?
Pune has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Pune, 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.