Which place is cheaper, Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh?
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 Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh?
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.
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is a state in the northern plains region of India. The vast region has an ancient and interesting history which has even been said to have inspired two great epics of India, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is most famous for the Taj Mahal, located in Agra - the tourist capital of the region.
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 PricesUttar Pradesh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $35Uttar Pradesh $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $35, while the average daily cost in Uttar Pradesh is $0.00. 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 Uttar Pradesh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Uttar Pradesh -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Uttar Pradesh $0.00
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Uttar Pradesh? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.89Uttar Pradesh -
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$0.95
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Rickshaw Ride$0.59
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: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $174
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $35
- Premium Varanasi Airport Transfer: Affordable & Comfortable: $25
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $13
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Uttar Pradesh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Uttar Pradesh:
- Wildlife SOS Visit with One Way Transfer from Agra to Delhi: $55
- Vrindavan to Delhi private transfer: $28
- Visit to Jaipur 's Chokhi Dhani Tour on Agra to Jaipur Transfer: $73
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Transfer from Agra to Tundla railway station and vice versa: $34
- Transfer from Agra to New Delhi by Private Car: $60
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Shikri and Abhaneri: $104
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur by Private Car: $91
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Uttar Pradesh?
Prices for flights to both Uttar Pradesh 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 $12Uttar Pradesh -
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$4.08
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: $18
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $18
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $32
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $46
- Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Uttar Pradesh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Uttar Pradesh.
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $14
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Agra's best cooking classes: $30
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $32
- Varanasi: 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Watch Bollywood Movie with Dinner in Agra: $35
- Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $38
- A Vegetarian Cooking Demonstration in Agra (Lunch or Dinner): $40
- Dinner at Agra with local Indian family : $40
- Varanasi: Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
- Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Uttar Pradesh -
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$0.83
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: $2.37
- Private Tour City Highlights with Ganges Boat Ride: $2.84
- Surnise Tour with Boat ride - Ganga Arti Full Day: $2.85
- Day Tour to Sarnath with Boating & Ganga Aarti: $4.85
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $5.91
- Full Day Private Tour with Sarnath & Ganga Aarti: $5.91
- Varanasi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.96
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.49
- City Highlights of the Day Tour & Ganges Dirfting: $8.87
- Varanasi & Sarnath Full-Day Guided Tour by Car: $8.87
- Private City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Aarti: $8.88
Tours and Activities in Uttar Pradesh
Here are a few actual costs in Uttar Pradesh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Agra City Tour With Guide: $43
- Jaipur Overnight Tour from Agra : $300
- Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $47
- Private Skip the Line tour Taj Mahal Guided Tour : $17
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $41
- Tajmahal Sunrise And Sunset Tour in Agra with Fatehpur Sikri: $36
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $83
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $90
- 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.76Uttar Pradesh -
Sample the Local Flavors in Uttar Pradesh
Also in Uttar Pradesh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Lucknow: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Uttar Pradesh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Uttar Pradesh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Uttar Pradesh Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Varanasi or Uttar Pradesh?
Uttar Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh, 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.