Which place is cheaper, Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta?
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 Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta?
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.
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Indonesia, and The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesYogyakarta Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Yogyakarta $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Yogyakarta is $61. 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 Yogyakarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Yogyakarta $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Yogyakarta $68
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Yogyakarta
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Yogyakarta? 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 Yogyakarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.35Yogyakarta $1.22
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$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Station to Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $11
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $97
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- YIA Airport Private Transfer: $12
- YIA Airport Private Transfer: $28
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfers: $94
- Private Airport Transfer YIA: $22
- Kulon Progo Waterfall Tour with Transfers: $37
- Borobudur ClimbUP Afternoon Guided and transfer: $26
- Borobudur 5-hour Tour with Climb-up & Transfers: $25
- Airport Transfer with Allowance of Delay & Bags: $30
- ATV Riding Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
- 5-Beach Full-Day Tour with Transfers & Entry Fee: $43
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Through Villages with Transfers: $38
- Yogyakarta Private Departure Transfer- Yogyakarta Hotel to Airport: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Yogyakarta?
Prices for flights to both Yogyakarta 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 $11Yogyakarta $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$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $38
- Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
- Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
- Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
- Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
- Yogyakarta Historical and Food Tour: $29
- Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
- Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $33
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.23Yogyakarta $15
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$0.74
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $267
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $119
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Spiritual Tour in Varanasi: $288
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Java's Cultural Heritage: Borobudur and Prambanan Tour": $16
- 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing: $69
- 1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple: $40
- 1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Pengger Heha - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE: $140
- 2-Day Borobudur Tour with Merbabu Camping and Hiking: $332
- 3 Days 2 Nights A Tour of Culture and Nature: $115
- 3-Hour Yogyakarta Hidden Food Walking or Cycling Guided Tour: $70
- 8 Days all inclusive - Motorbike Tour in Central Java: $2,933
- ATV Adventure Borobudur - Admission Ticket: $35
- Adventure Ride to Kebun Buah Mangunan Yogyakarta: $31
- All-inclusive Prambanan Temple Half-Day Tour: $58
- Amazing Yogyakarta Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.91Yogyakarta $4.53
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Yogyakarta, we can see that Yogyakarta is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Yogyakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yogyakarta than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Yogyakarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Yogyakarta?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Yogyakarta, 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.