Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) or Amritsar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Amritsar, 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Amritsar?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
Amritsar
Amritsar is a holy city of the Sikh religion, named "holy pool of nectar" for the pool around the base of the Golden Temple complex. This complex is the city's main attraction, bringing pilgrims from all over to bathe in the waters of the sacred pool and visit the sacred temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, and The Best Adventure Tours to India.
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Kolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India PricesAmritsar Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKolkata (Calcutta) $45Amritsar $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $64. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Amritsar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKolkata (Calcutta) $16Amritsar $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKolkata (Calcutta) $32Amritsar $42
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Amritsar
Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) or Amritsar? 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Amritsar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85Amritsar $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:
- Private Transfer from Amritsar to Amritsar Raja Sansi (ATQ) Airport: $39
- Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $84
- Private Wagah Border Drama and the Golden Temple with Transfer: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Amritsar?
Prices for flights to both Amritsar and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 dayKolkata (Calcutta) $23Amritsar $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $26
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Alleyway Food Tour: $46
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amritsar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amritsar.
- Agra: Guided Street Food Tour w/ Private Transportation: $20
- Amritsar Food Tour: $29
- Wagah Border Retreat Ceremony With Traditional Dinner: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $14Amritsar $14
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $14
- Walk Through Tales ( Heritage Tour ) : $35
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $37
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
- Kolkata 3-Hour Tour of Kumortuli - The Goddess Beckons: $41
- Photography Tour of Mesmerizing Markets of Kolkata: $41
- Heritage sightseeing tours(Walking tours): $41
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $41
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour : $44
- Kolkata Private Half Day City Tour To Majestic Temples: $45
- Magic Hour Tour: $46
- Private Calcutta Tour: $49
Tours and Activities in Amritsar
Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Delhi: Private Taj Mahal & Agra Tour with 5-star Lunch: $3.72
- Agra : Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Tour With Skip-the-Line Entry: $6.76
- Guided Amritsar Village Tour: $9.40
- Agra: Agra Fort and Baby Taj Private Tour with Pickup & Drop: $15
- Village Tour in Amritsar Countryside of Punjab: $15
- Amritsar Heritage Walking Tour: $17
- Real Village Tour Amritsar: $19
- Golden Temple Guided Tour (Planet Amritsar Inc.): $19
- Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh Guided Tour: $21
- Amritsar Full Day City Tour with Transportation (10 Hours): $21
- Amritsar Full Day Tour with Transportation: $23
- Amritsar Customizable Tour Tailored Just for You: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKolkata (Calcutta) $7.85Amritsar $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Amritsar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amritsar than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Amritsar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Amritsar?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Amritsar. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) and Amritsar, 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.