Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Lahore?
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 Lahore or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lahore and Kolkata (Calcutta). We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lahore or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Lahore Prices
Pakistan PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLahore $65Kolkata (Calcutta) $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $65, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45. 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 Lahore and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $36Kolkata (Calcutta) $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $72Kolkata (Calcutta) $32
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Lahore or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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: Lahore Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.75Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
- Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Lahore 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 dayLahore $23Kolkata (Calcutta) $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $4.96Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $40
- Lahori Food Experience: $75
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Shalimar Garden Private Tour and Wahga Border Flag Ceremony: $100
- Private Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $100
- Wahga Border Flag Ceremony & Shalimar Garden Private Tour: $100
- Lahore Walled City Walking Tour: $102
- Rangeela Rickshaw Walled City Lahore Guided Tour : $110
- Rangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Private Tour: Lahore Full Day Customized Guided Trip : $120
- Nankana Sahib Gurdwara One Day Guided Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- 02 Days Private Kolkata Tour with Lunch : $179
- A Unique Experience of Kolkata Public Transport System: $98
- Capturing the City of Joy; Full Day Kolkata Street Photography Tour: $85
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
- Custom Private Kolkata Sightseeing with English speaking Guide: $75
- Durga Puja 2025 Tours -The Festival Enjoyed Close Up: $75
- Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $99
- Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
- Gangasagar Pilgrimage Day Tour from Kolkata: $147
- Half Day Private Tour of Kolkata with a Local Companion: $69
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $49
- Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.78Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Lahore 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 Lahore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lahore 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 Lahore Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Kolkata (Calcutta). When comparing the sizes of Lahore and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.