Which place is cheaper, Srinagar 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 Srinagar?
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 Srinagar 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 Srinagar?
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.
Srinagar
Lying on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is best known for its gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats as well as local traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.
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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Varanasi Prices
India PricesSrinagar Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $33Srinagar $28
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $33, while the average daily cost in Srinagar 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 Srinagar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $15Srinagar $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $30Srinagar $28
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Srinagar
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Srinagar? 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 Srinagar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.69Srinagar $2.43
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$0.91
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Rickshaw Ride$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $162
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $168
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $11
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $45
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $11
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $11
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Srinagar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Srinagar:
- Doodhpathri Day Trip with Transfers: $33
- Srinagar To Leh, Ladakh Taxi (One way Transfer): $233
- Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service: $16
- Private Transfer from Srinagar to Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport: $76
- Private Transfer from Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport to Srinagar: $76
- Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg: $35
- Premium Srinagar Airport Transfer: Cheap & Comfort: $35
- Innova To and Fro Pvt. Airport Transfer from Srinagar / Dal Lake: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Srinagar?
Prices for flights to both Srinagar 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 $12Srinagar $8.49
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$3.92
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: $17
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $28
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- Yoga, Ayurveda, and Cooking Class with Boat Ride: $41
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $46
- Private Evening Street Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.96Srinagar $9.73
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$0.79
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour with research Scholar, IITF LICENSE GUIDE: $2.28
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.84
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.98
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.69
- Audio Guided Walking Tour of Banaras Ghats, Varanasi: $6.12
- Varanasi city lanes walking tour: $6.83
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $12
- Private Customizable Walking Tour with Local Guide: $12
Tours and Activities in Srinagar
Here are a few actual costs in Srinagar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Nights 3 Days Sonmarg Snowfall Tour: $455
- 6-Day Kashmir Tour with Accommodations: $796
- Exotic Kashmir Tour: $300
- From 6-Day Motorcycle Tour to Leh and Nubra Valley: $2,389
- From Unforgettable Kashmir 6-Day Private Tour: $569
- Full day private tour of Srinagar for Kashmir experience : $135
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee & Guide: $154
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee, Guide, Shikara ride & Lunch: $195
- Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar: $69
- Kashmir 7-Day Romantic Honeymoon Tour: $289
- Kashmir Houseboat Tour Package for 3 Days: $209
- Kashmir 6-Day Tour Enchanting Serene Beauty: $478
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.45Srinagar $2.43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Srinagar, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Srinagar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Srinagar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Srinagar 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 Srinagar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Srinagar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Srinagar?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Srinagar. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Srinagar, 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.