Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Varanasi?
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 Varanasi or Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Mumbai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Varanasi or Mumbai?
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.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesMumbai Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $33Mumbai $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $33, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $83. 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 Varanasi and Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $15Mumbai $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $30Mumbai $64
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Mumbai? 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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.69Mumbai $7.37
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $69
- Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $55
- Private Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from Mumbai to your Accommodation in Pune: $24
- Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $167
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $81
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $62
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Downtown: $60
- Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Mumbai Hotel to Airport Including VIP Assistance: $204
- Private Arrival Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel Including VIP Assistance: $204
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai and Varanasi 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 dayVaranasi $12Mumbai $42
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- Private Street Food Tour with Mumbai Sightseeing Tour including AC vehicles: $19
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $31
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $31
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Flavors of Mumbai Food Tour : $40
- Mumbai Street Food Tour: $42
- Secret Street Food Tour With Private Car inMumbai: $44
- Private Mumbai Market Tour and Cooking Class With an Expert: $52
- Private Vegetarian Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai: $53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.96Mumbai $2.52
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
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Kanheri Caves Heritage Tour: $45
- Mumbai by Night Guided Tour : $50
- Private Full-Day Mumbai Sightseeing Tour with Dharavi Slums: $41
- "Private Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $46
- "Private Mumbai Dharavi Slum Tour": $9.24
- "Private Mumbai Kanheri Caves Tour : A Buddhist Settlement": $46
- 3 Days Complete Mumbai Tour Inclusive of Bollywood Studio Experience: $277
- 3 Hours of Pottery Making Experience in a Studio in Mumbai: $66
- 7 Hour Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour By Navv Om Namaha Shivaya: $116
- All In One Combo Tour of Mumbai City, Dabbawalas, Dhobhi Ghat, Slums & Bollywood: $150
- All in one Combo of City ,Slum,Dhobighat & Dabbawala tour: $77
- All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.45Mumbai $3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai 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 Varanasi Expensive? and Is Mumbai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Mumbai?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Mumbai, 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.