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

Should you visit Varanasi or Pushkar?

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 Pushkar 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 Pushkar?

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.

Pushkar

Pushkar is a city located in the state of Rajasthan, India. The city is considered a holy one; it's famous for its Brahma temple. It is also known for its ghats, its lake, and bazaar. Brahma is one part of the holy Hindu trinity and is known sit on a lotus flower (which is what 'Pushkar' translates to). In Hindu religion, Brahma is believed to be the creator of this world and Pushkar is the most important temple.

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, Pushkar 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 Pushkar is $28. 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 Pushkar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $16
    Pushkar $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $32
    Pushkar $24
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Pushkar

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Pushkar? 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 Pushkar


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 Pushkar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.95
    Pushkar $4.96
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 Pushkar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:

  • Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $49
  • Private Transfers Pushkar To New Delhi Drop: $61
  • Private Transfers Pushkar To Jodhpur Drop: $49
  • Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $42
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Udaipur In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Ranthambore In AC Vehicle: $117
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To New Delhi In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Mount Abu In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur In AC Vehicle: $71
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jaipur In AC Vehicle: $45
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Agra In AC Vehicle: $112
  • One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Pushkar?

Prices for flights to both Pushkar 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
    Pushkar $10
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

Typical Food Prices in Pushkar

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $10
    Pushkar $8.22
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 Pushkar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:

  • 4 Days Jaipur Jodhpur Tour with Pushkar: $389
  • 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $347
  • 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $263
  • Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
  • Afternoon Walking tour with Sunset & Arti -The Pushkar Route: $7.18
  • Amazing 3 Nights 4 Days Jaipur with Ajmer Pushkar Tour: $622
  • City Walking Tour-THE Pushkar Route: $6.76
  • Cultural Walk of Pushkar (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Day Tour From Pushkar Without Guide: $60
  • Evening Walking Tour with Fire Rituals-The Pushkar Route: $7.18
  • Evening Walking tour with Fire Ceremony - The Pushkar Route : $8.00
  • Experience Private Food And Culture Walk-The Pushkar Route: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.85
    Pushkar $6.68


When comparing the travel costs between Varanasi and Pushkar, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Pushkar?

Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Pushkar. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Pushkar, 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.