Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Sao Paulo?
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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?
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.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesSao Paulo Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Sao Paulo $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $63. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Sao Paulo $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.33Sao Paulo $6.04
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$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $123
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $87
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $87
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $100
- Transfers Main airports in Sao Paulo: $63
- Transfer to Guarulhos Airport - up to 4 passengers sedan: $134
- Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $39
- Transfer from GRU or CGH Airports to São Paulo City (vice-versa): $77
- Transfer Viracopos Airport or Campinas City to airports in Sao Paulo: $141
- Transfer VCP airport Viracopos GRU airport / Sao Paulo city: $128
- Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $48
- Transfer Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to São Paulo City Center: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 $11Sao Paulo $26
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$3.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour in São Paulo with a Local Guide: $73
- São Paulo: Liberdade Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Tonkatsu: $86
- Paulista Plates São Paulo Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
- São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $221
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.20Sao Paulo $4.08
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$0.73
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
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $189
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Spiritual Tour in Varanasi: $290
- 3 Days Varanasi Tour package: $229
- 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions: $109
- 5 Hours Private Full Day City Tour in Sao Paulo: $296
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football: $175
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $155
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $139
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $295
- 5h Private Tour of Sao Paulo + Gastronomic Experience: $146
- 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $210
- 6 Hour Buddhist Temple and Embu das Artes Tour – Art Galleries, Artisan Shops: $203
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.88Sao Paulo $3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Pub Crawl in Pinheiros: Explore the Nightlife of São Paulo: $34
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $59
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Sao Paulo, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Varanasi is in Asia and Sao Paulo is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Sao Paulo, 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.