Which place is cheaper, Pushkar or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
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 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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Pushkar $28
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 personVaranasi $16Pushkar $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Pushkar $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.
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 $4.92Pushkar $4.93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.95
-
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/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Airport transfer from hotel: $12
- 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
- Premium Varanasi Airport Transfer: Affordable & Comfortable: $26
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $30
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pushkar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $61
- Private Transfers Pushkar To New Delhi Drop: $61
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Jodhpur Drop: $49
- Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $42
- Private Transfer From Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar: $65
- 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
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 dayVaranasi $7.10Pushkar $10
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
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: $15
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $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
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
Typical Food Prices in Pushkar
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:
-
Lunch$2.38
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Pushkar $8.18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
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: $2.86
- Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.64
- Day Tour to Sarnath with Boating & Ganga Aarti: $4.88
- Sights & Highlights tour: $5.69
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $5.95
- Full Day Private Tour with Sarnath & Ganga Aarti: $5.95
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Varanasi city lanes walking tour: $8.33
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.55
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
Tours and Activities in Pushkar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:
- 10 Days Rajasthan Heritage and Culture Tour: $1,786
- 4 Days Jaipur Jodhpur Tour with Pushkar: $387
- 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $262
- 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $345
- Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
- Afternoon Walking tour with Sunset & Arti -The Pushkar Route: $7.14
- Amazing 3 Nights 4 Days Jaipur with Ajmer Pushkar Tour: $619
- 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: $7.14
- 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 dayVaranasi $7.82Pushkar $6.65
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.
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.