Which place is cheaper, Rajasthan or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Rajasthan?
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 Rajasthan 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 Rajasthan?
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.
Rajasthan
It's time to visit the world of harems and maharajahs, palaces and fortresses, incense and mysticism. Rajasthan is a state in the northwest of India full of history and magnificent forts – the best in the country. Known as the Land of Kings, Rajasthan really has something for everyone. With sand dunes, jungles, camel trains, wild tigers, glittering jewels, vibrant cultures and a calendar full of festivals, this area is a must-see spot in this bucket list country.
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 $30Rajasthan $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Rajasthan is $0.00. 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 Rajasthan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Rajasthan -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Rajasthan $0.00
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Rajasthan
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Rajasthan? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Rajasthan -
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:
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $177
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $18
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rajasthan
Also for Rajasthan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Udaipur To Pushkar Private One Way Transfer: $60
- Transfer from Jaipur to New Delhi Hotel / Accommodation: $49
- Transfer from Jaipur to Delhi with Tajmahal sight seeing: $200
- Self Guided Bikaner City Tour With One Way Transfer To Jaipur : $108
- Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers: $231
- Same Day Ranthambore Safari From Jaipur With Transfer To Agra Including Tickets: $227
- Round trip airport Transfer Between Jaipur & Jaipur Airport JAI: $18
- Round Trip Transfers to Ranthambore Fort Ganesh Temple in a Gypsy: $12
- Ranthambore Wildlife Safari with Tickets & Transfer Options: $120
- Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tickets With Optional Transfers: $108
- Pushkar Sightseeing on Jaipur To Jodhpur Transfer: $86
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort: $245
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Rajasthan?
Prices for flights to both Rajasthan 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 $7.14Rajasthan -
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
- 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
- India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
- Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rajasthan
For Rajasthan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaipur Street food tour: $4.59
- chai and pakora cooking class: $6.15
- Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $9.83
- Half Day Osian Village Safari Tour with Dinner: $11
- Enjoyable,homely & mom 's delicious cooking classes: $13
- Cooking Class With Indian family : $15
- Food Tour and Eat like Locals : $16
- Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class) : $16
- Durga Cooking Class: $17
- 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session At Local Home: $20
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Rajasthan -
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
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
- 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,439
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $49
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 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
- 2 Days Varanasi Sightseeing Tour by Car: $320
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $150
Tours and Activities in Rajasthan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rajasthan.
- From Jaipur : Same Day Agra Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour: $149
- From Jaipur: Ranthambore Tiger Safari Private Day Tour: $130
- Full Day Udaipur City Tour by Private Vehicle: $92
- Guided Jaipur City Tour With Drop Off at Udaipur: $110
- Guided Udaipur Tour With Drop Off To Jodhpur Next Day.: $135
- Half Day Jaipur Shopping Tour With Local Tour Guide: $35
- Jaipur Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $10
- Private Full-Day Tour of Jaisalmer with Guide: $33
- Same Day Taj Mahal Tour from Jaipur by Car: $250
- Taj Mahal City Tour by car or train from Jaipur: $105
- (JODHPUR) BLUE CITY Guided TOUR with MEHREANGARH FORT: $9.54
- 02 Nights - 03 Days Jaipur-Agra Weekend Tours with hotel: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Rajasthan -
Sample the Local Flavors in Rajasthan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Rajasthan:
- Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $20
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $39
- Pub Crawl Udaipur: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Rajasthan, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Rajasthan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rajasthan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rajasthan 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 Varanasi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varanasi than you might in Rajasthan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Rajasthan Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Varanasi or Rajasthan?
Rajasthan has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Rajasthan, 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.