Which place is cheaper, Srinagar or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Srinagar $26
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Srinagar is $26. 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 $16Srinagar $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Srinagar $30
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 $4.95Srinagar $2.57
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:
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $176
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $111
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $42
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Srinagar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Srinagar:
- Full Day Car for Transfer and Sightseeing Tours: $72
- Srinagar To Leh, Ladakh Taxi (One way Transfer): $245
- Srinagar Airport: One-Way Transfer Arrival and Departure: $36
- Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service: $16
- Srinagar Airport Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Srinagar to Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport to Srinagar: $70
- Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg: $37
- PRIVATE TOURS SRINAGAR FULL DAY CUM FOR TRANSFER AND TOURS.: $48
- Kashmir: 5-Day Tour with Houseboat Stay and Transfers: $239
- Kashmir Transport Services for Transfers & Sightseeing Tours: $73
- Airport Transfers: $30
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 $7.15Srinagar $5.18
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:
- Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $16
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $21
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Srinagar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Srinagar.
- Candle Lit Romantic Dinner In Kashmir: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $11Srinagar $10
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 Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.38
- Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.90
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.57
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $11
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Varanasi Walking Tour : $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
Tours and Activities in Srinagar
Here are a few actual costs in Srinagar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 Days and 3 Nights Private Tour of Kashmir: $290
- 5 Days and 4 Nights Private Tour of Kashmir: $285
- 5-Days Kashmir tour includes Accommodation and Private Transportation : $277
- 6 Days Kashmir Tour with Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg: $299
- From 5-Day Kashmir Tour with Gulmarg and Pahalgam: $1,791
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee & Guide: $154
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee, Guide, Shikara ride & Lunch: $222
- Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar: $71
- I provide all facilities during tour: $48
- Kashmir Houseboat Tour Package for 3 Days: $209
- Kashmir Millennial Special Tour 4 Nights 5 Days: $478
- Lake Tour of Kashmir: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.86Srinagar $2.57
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.