Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varanasi or Sapa?
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 Sapa 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 Sapa?
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.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Sapa $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $36. 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 Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Sapa $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Sapa $24
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Sapa? 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 Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.94Sapa $9.41
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
- Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.20
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa 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 $7.14Sapa $16
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
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.72
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.20
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Coffee (for Two)$2.40
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.96
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Pho Soup$0.60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Sapa $6.13
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 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.60
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.80
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Walking Stick$0.20
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Sapa $8.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$1.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Sapa, we can see that Sapa 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 Sapa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sapa 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 Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Sapa?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Sapa, 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.