Should you visit Varanasi or Udaipur?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Varanasi and Udaipur can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the "Venice of the East," is becoming increasingly popular as an Indian wedding destination as well as with travelers searching for a romantic and picturesque city, rich with history, scenic areas, and palaces.
The "City of Lakes" is located in south of Rajasthan. There are a total of ten lakes in the lake system, which are connected and sustain water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, which contributes to another reason for Udaipur's booming tourism: alcohol.
Udaipur has ideal climate and available water to support a liquor plant while a number of other Indian states ban the consumption of liquor altogether. Many local tourists, such as those from the neighboring dry state of Gujarat on the west, visit Udaipur specifically for this reason, especially considering that Gujarati alcohol prices are much higher and liquor must be purchased through the black market. It's no wonder why Udaipur is the destination for celebrations and vacation.
Udaipur has tropical weather and three main seasons, which are summer, monsoon, and winter. Winter, which takes place between September to March, is the most pleasant time to visit for sunny and warm days and cool nights.
Udaipur was also made famous in the James Bond film Octopussy. Several local hotels show the film nightly.
Which city is cheaper, Udaipur or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $27, while the average daily cost in Udaipur is $30. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Varanasi and Udaipur in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $30 for a double occupancy room in Varanasi If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $28 for a double occupancy room in Udaipur.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Varanasi cost around $6.49 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $2.60.
On average, meal and food prices in Udaipur cost around $9.79 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $3.92.
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Food
Meals for one day
Varanasi $6.49
Udaipur $9.79
Typical Food prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Local Uttrakhand Cuisine Cooking Class in Rishikesh:
$9.89
-
Udaipur Food Tour:
$12
-
Authentic Indian Tea Brewing and Paratha Cooking Private Online Class:
$15
-
Hyderabad Street Food Tour:
$16
-
Wagah Beating Retreat Border Ceremony (with Dinner) in Amritsar:
$16
-
Authentic Maharashtrian Cuisine Private Virtual Cooking Class from Mumbai:
$18
-
Mandovi River Dinner Cruise in Goa:
$19
-
Cooking Class And Dining Experience In Varanasi:
$20
-
North Kerala Culinary Food Tour in Thalassery:
$24
-
Mumbai Walking Food Tour:
$25
-
Cooking and Dining Experience in Agra:
$27
-
Cooking Class with a Local Family in Mumbai:
$36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Udaipur.
-
Experience Indian Food: IN-PERSON & optional virtual cooking class on Zoom:
$4.90
-
Private Vegetarian Indian Cooking Class Experience in Udaipur:
$7.00
-
Local Uttrakhand Cuisine Cooking Class in Rishikesh:
$9.89
-
Durga Cooking Class:
$11
-
Udaipur Food Tour:
$12
-
Authentic Indian Tea Brewing and Paratha Cooking Private Online Class:
$15
-
Hyderabad Street Food Tour:
$16
-
Wagah Beating Retreat Border Ceremony (with Dinner) in Amritsar:
$16
-
Authentic Maharashtrian Cuisine Private Virtual Cooking Class from Mumbai:
$18
-
Mandovi River Dinner Cruise in Goa:
$19
-
Cooking Class And Dining Experience In Varanasi:
$20
-
Cooking Class with Unforgettable Experience:
$22
Local Transportation
Varanasi's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.50 per person, per day on transportation in Varanasi.
The average price of local transportation around Udaipur is $6.35 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town
$1.09
-
Rickshaw Ride
$0.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Taj Mahal Private Day Tour from Delhi with One Way Airport Transfer:
$23
-
3-hours Temple hopping with transfers:
$33
-
Airport Transfer - Lal Bahadur Shastri Intl Airport, Varanasi to Varanasi Hotels:
$11
-
Airport Transfer - Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi International Airport, Varanasi:
$11
-
Airport Transfers by Sedan:
$28
-
Boat ride on the Ganges to Ramnagar fort with Transfers:
$43
-
Cochin International Airport Private Transfers (COK) for Munnar:
$55
-
Day tour to Rajdari and Devdari Waterfalls with transfers:
$43
-
Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi:
$32
-
Echoes of Varanasi, India (Private Tour, Transfers & Guide):
$128
-
From Boat ride on the Ganges to Ramnagar fort with Transfers:
$43
-
From Day tour To Sarnath With Transfers:
$43
Typical Local Transportation prices in Udaipur
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Udaipur:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:
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private cab for airport transfer:
$12
-
Udaipur- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing (3 Days):
$328
-
Udaipur, The City of Lakes - A Heritage Walk with private transfers:
$88
-
Udaipur to Ahmedabad private transfers:
$37
-
Udaipur Wax Museum Skip-The-Line Combo Tickets with transfers:
$17
-
Udaipur To Pushkar Private One Way Transfer:
$60
-
Udaipur Full Day Custom Tour with Transfers:
$87
-
Udaipur Full Day Custom Tour with Transfers:
$82
-
Udaipur City Palace Sound and Light Show with Transfers:
$28
-
Smooth Departure Transfer by Car from Udaipur to Ahmadabad:
$81
-
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport Private Transfers (SXR) for Srinagar:
$14
-
Pune International Airport Private Transfers (PNQ) for Pune:
$19
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Udaipur?
Prices for flights to both Udaipur 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Varanasi can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $9.55 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Udaipur's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $9.36 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Shaniwar Wada Fort Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket:
$0.35
-
Akbar's Tomb Entry Ticket in Agra:
$0.39
-
Palace of Tipu Sultan Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket:
$0.39
-
Bekal Fort Entry Ticket:
$0.50
-
Gingee Fort Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Itmad-ud-Daulah Ticket in Agra:
$0.55
-
Hauz Khas Complex Ticket in Delhi:
$0.55
-
Kanheri Caves Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Badami Cave Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Mehtab Bagh Fast-Track Ticket:
$0.55
-
Deeg Palace Ticket in Bharatpur:
$0.55
-
Bibi Ka Maqbara Fast-Track Ticket in Aurangabad:
$0.55
Typical Entertainment prices in Udaipur
Here are a few typical costs in Udaipur for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Palace Entrance Fee
$1.36
-
Lake Boat Tour
$2.72
Tours and Activities in Udaipur
Here are a few actual costs in Udaipur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Explore Old City of Hyderabad with Experienced Storyteller Online Experience:
$19
-
Instagram Tour in Delhi:
$101
-
Lamadug Trekking Day Tour from Manali:
$21
-
Mathura Vrindavan, Taj Mahal and Agra City Private Day Tour from Delhi:
$118
-
"Same Day Ajmer-Pushkar Tour Through AC Car":
$67
-
11D10N Golden Triangle and Holy City Private Tour from Delhi:
$863
-
16-Day Rajasthan Multi Adventure Tour with Taj Mahal and Goa:
$2,860
-
2D Delhi and Agra Combo Private Tour:
$110
-
2D1N Adventure Camping in Jaipur:
$33
-
2D1N Bhandardara Lakeside Camping Experience :
$20
-
2D1N Bhandardara Lakeside Camping Experience from Mumbai:
$20
-
2D1N Gir National Park Tour from Ahmedabad:
$69
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Varanasi spend on average $7.14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Udaipur may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Varanasi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Varanasi:
-
Pub Crawl in Delhi:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Pune:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Mumbai:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Jaipur:
$18
-
Udaipur Pub Crawl:
$19
-
South Mumbai Pub Crawl:
$19
-
Pub Crawl In Bangalore:
$19
-
Pub Crawl in Goa:
$20
-
Sula Vineyards with Wine Tasting Day Tour from Mumbai:
$49
Sample the Local Flavors in Udaipur
Also in Udaipur, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Pub Crawl in Delhi:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Pune:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Mumbai:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Jaipur:
$18
-
Udaipur Pub Crawl:
$19
-
South Mumbai Pub Crawl:
$19
-
Pub Crawl In Bangalore:
$19
-
Pub Crawl in Goa:
$20
-
Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience):
$21
-
Nightlife of Udaipur - Pub Crawl:
$25
-
Pub Crawl Udaipur:
$26
-
Sula Vineyards with Wine Tasting Day Tour from Mumbai:
$49
When comparing the travel costs between Varanasi and Udaipur, we can see that Udaipur is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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