Which place is cheaper, Varanasi 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 Varanasi?
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 Varanasi. 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 Varanasi?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Lahore Prices
Pakistan PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLahore $65Varanasi $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $65, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $33. 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 Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $36Varanasi $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $72Varanasi $30
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Lahore or Varanasi? 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 Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.75Varanasi $4.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
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$0.91
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Rickshaw Ride$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi 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 $23Varanasi $12
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
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$3.92
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: $17
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Cooking Class with Sona: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Ultimate 2 Days in Varanasi - Fully Guided Tour - Rooftop Dinner on Ganges: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $4.96Varanasi $9.96
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
- 2-Perfect Days in Lahore with a Local Tour Guide: $300
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $200
- Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
- Katas Raj Temple and Khewra Salt Mines in Kalar Kahar Day Tour: $250
- Khewra Salt Mines & Katas Raj Temple One Day Guided Tour: $190
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $40
- Lahore City Tour : $150
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
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$0.79
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $289
- 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: $46
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $150
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $104
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Private Varanasi Tour Package: $172
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.78Varanasi $7.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Varanasi, we can see that Lahore 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 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 Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lahore Expensive? and Is Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Varanasi?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Lahore and Varanasi, 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.