A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pushkar vs. Shangri-La for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pushkar or Shangri-La?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pushkar and Shangri-La can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pushkar or Shangri-La?

Pushkar

Pushkar is a city located in the state of Rajasthan, India. The city is considered a holy one; it's famous for its Brahma temple. It is also known for its ghats, its lake, and bazaar. Brahma is one part of the holy Hindu trinity and is known sit on a lotus flower (which is what 'Pushkar' translates to). In Hindu religion, Brahma is believed to be the creator of this world and Pushkar is the most important temple.

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 Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Pushkar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Pushkar Prices
    India Prices
    Shangri-La Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pushkar $34
    Shangri-La $61

The average daily cost (per person) in Pushkar is $34, 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 Pushkar and Shangri-La in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pushkar $12
    Shangri-La $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pushkar $24
    Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Pushkar and Shangri-La

Looking for a hotel in Pushkar 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.

Hotels in Pushkar


Hotels in Shangri-La


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: Pushkar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pushkar $4.70
    Shangri-La $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pushkar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:

  • Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $40
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jaipur In AC Vehicle: $45
  • Jodhpur :Private Transfer to Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Pushkar: $47
  • Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $58
  • Jaipur: Private Transfer to Jodhpur with Pushkar tour: $62
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur In AC Vehicle: $71
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Udaipur In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Mount Abu In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To New Delhi In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Agra In AC Vehicle: $112
  • Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Ranthambore In AC Vehicle: $117

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:

  • Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149
  • Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Pushkar or Shangri-La?

Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Pushkar 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pushkar $17
    Shangri-La $33
Typical Food Prices in Pushkar

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pushkar $7.80
    Shangri-La $16

Tours and Activities in Pushkar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:

  • Walking Sightseeing Tour - The Shine Pushkar: $5.79
  • Spiritual City Walking Tour-THE Pushkar Route: $6.76
  • Temples Walk around 52 Ghats ( Spiritual Tour )-The Pushkar Route: $7.00
  • Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
  • Evening Walking tour with Fire Ceremony - The Pushkar Route : $8.00
  • Private Historical Walking Tour in Nasiyan Jain Temple: $9.24
  • Cultural Walk of Pushkar (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
  • Pushkar 2 Hour Walking Tour with Guide: $13
  • Experience Private Food And Culture Walk-The Pushkar Route: $15
  • Private Tour Guide Pushkar: $18
  • Pushkar Camel Safari Adventure: $22
  • Food Walk Tour Pushkar (2 hours guided food tasting walk): $23

Tours and Activities in Shangri-La

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:

  • Shangri-La Day Tour Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Sea: $67
  • Tibetan Village Scenic E-Bike Tour: $117
  • 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
  • 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
  • Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $240
  • 1 Day Shangri-La Songzanlin and Potatso National Park Tour: $280

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pushkar $6.34
    Shangri-La $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pushkar and Shangri-La, we can see that Shangri-La is more expensive. And not only is Pushkar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pushkar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pushkar 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 Shangri-La would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shangri-La than you might in Pushkar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pushkar Expensive? and Is Shangri-La Expensive?.