A Travel Price Comparison for India Varanasi vs. Punjab for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varanasi or Punjab?

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 Punjab 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 Punjab?

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.

Punjab

Punjab is a state of northwestern India, its name roughly translating to "the land of five rivers." Like much of India, Punjab is thriving with culture evident in its royal palaces, historic monuments, shrines, temples, and more.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Punjab or Varanasi?

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

  • Varanasi Prices
    India Prices
    Punjab Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Varanasi $33
    Punjab $758

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $33, while the average daily cost in Punjab is $758. 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 Punjab in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $15
    Punjab $314
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $30
    Punjab $628
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Punjab

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Punjab? 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 Varanasi


Hotels in Punjab


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.69
    Punjab $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.91
  • 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 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
  • Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Punjab?

Prices for flights to both Punjab 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Varanasi $12
    Punjab $318
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $9.96
    Punjab $125
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • 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 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
  • 3 Hour Private Sunrise Boat Tour in Varnavasi: $155

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.45
    Punjab $113


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Punjab, we can see that Punjab 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 Punjab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punjab 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 Punjab Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Varanasi or Punjab?

Punjab has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Punjab, 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.