Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Agra?
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 Agra or Shangri-La?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Agra or Shangri-La, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Agra or Shangri-La?
Agra
In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.
While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.
Shangri-La
The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Agra Prices
India PricesShangri-La Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAgra $53Shangri-La $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Agra is $53, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La 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 Agra and Shangri-La in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAgra $15Shangri-La $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAgra $30Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Agra and Shangri-La
Looking for a hotel in Agra or Shangri-La? 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: Agra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Agra $9.80Shangri-La $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour with Transfer: $2.37
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $2.48
- Create Your Own Itinerary - Private Tour & Transfer: $2.54
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $3.38
- Create Your Own Itinerary - Private Tour & Transfer: $4.04
- Skip The Line Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Transfer: $4.28
- From Delhi/Taj Mahal, Agra Tour with Transfers & Lunch: $4.51
- India: Premier High Value Taj Mahal Tickets with Transfers: $4.51
- Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-line Guided tour with Transfer: $6.31
- Jaipur: Same Day Taj Mahal & Agra Fort with transfers: $7.20
- Agra Airport / Agra Train Station to Hotel Transfer: $8.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:
- Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160
- Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Agra or Shangri-La?
Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Agra 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 dayAgra $26Shangri-La $33
Typical Food Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:
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Breakfast for Two$2.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking class with taj: $5.64
- Old Agra Market & Street Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $15
- Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk Ride: $18
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
- Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $20
- Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $21
- Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $21
- Old City & Street Food Tour in Car, Tuk Tuk or Bike: $21
- AI Cooking Class and Much More in a Local Family Home: $27
- Jaisalmer: Thar Desert Camel Safari with Dinner: $28
- Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $28
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Agra $19Shangri-La $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra
For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entry to the Red Fort for Two$6.81
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Taj Mahal for Two$17
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- Private Taj Mahal Tour with 5* Lunch from Delhi/Jaipur: $1.69
- Taj Mahal and Agra Private Guided Tour from Delhi by AC Car: $2.00
- Taj Mahal Tour Fast-Track Entry with Tickets: $2.21
- Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by Car from Delhi: $2.25
- Agra:Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Guided Tour with Breakfast: $2.25
- Skip the Line Taj Mahal with photographer & Dress Rent: $2.25
- Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Skip-the-Line Tour with Options: $2.25
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise , Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour: $2.25
- Taj Mahal Budget Tour for Backpackers: $2.25
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Optional Add-ons: $2.25
- Taj Mahal and Mausoleum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line: $2.25
- Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Ticket: Sunrise & Daytime Options: $2.34
Tours and Activities in Shangri-La
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:
- 1 Day Shangri-La Songzanlin and Potatso National Park Tour: $280
- 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
- 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
- 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
- 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
- Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $240
- Shangri-La Day Tour Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Sea: $67
- Tibetan Village Scenic E-Bike Tour: $117
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAgra $9.14Shangri-La $13
When comparing the travel costs between Agra and Shangri-La, we can see that Shangri-La 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Agra Expensive? and Is Shangri-La Expensive?.
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.