Which place is cheaper, Uttar Pradesh or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Uttar Pradesh $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, 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 $4.94Uttar 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$0.96
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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: $177
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $170
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $12
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $108
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
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: $49
- Vrindavan to Delhi private transfer: $28
- Visit to Jaipur 's Chokhi Dhani Tour on Agra to Jaipur Transfer: $74
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- 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: $106
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur by Private Car: $91
- Transfer from Agra to Delhi Airport: $70
- Transfer Agra to Delhi by Private AC Car: $75
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 $7.14Uttar 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$4.13
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Uttar Pradesh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Uttar Pradesh.
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
- Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra Including Lunch or Dinner: $20
- Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $25
- Agra's best cooking classes: $31
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
- Seth Gali Bazaar Walk with Lavish on table barbecue dinner: $38
- From Varanasi: Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
- Private Vegetarian Indian Cooking Class in Agra : $43
- Private 3-Hour Cooking Lesson and Meal in a Local Home in Agra: $45
- Varanasi: 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
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$0.84
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: $6.56
- Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: $7.66
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $8.61
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Varanasi:- Morning Varanasi Short Tour with Boat Ride: $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): $13
- Heritage Kashi Photography Tour (2 Hours guided walk): $13
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
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
- Agra Full day Sightseeing with Transports & Tour Guide: $37
- Agra Local Tour with Taj Mahal : $30
- Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
- Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $47
- Private Full Day Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour With Agra Fort: $30
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $42
- Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour - All Inclusive: $21
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
- 05-Hours Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by TUK TUK: $5.00
- 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.85Uttar 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.