Which place is cheaper, Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh?
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 Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh?
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.
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is a state in the northern plains region of India. The vast region has an ancient and interesting history which has even been said to have inspired two great epics of India, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is most famous for the Taj Mahal, located in Agra - the tourist capital of the region.
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 PricesUttar Pradesh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $33Uttar Pradesh $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $33, while the average daily cost in Uttar Pradesh is $42. 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 Uttar Pradesh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $15Uttar Pradesh $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $30Uttar Pradesh $30
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Uttar Pradesh? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.69Uttar Pradesh $7.43
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:
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Uttar Pradesh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Uttar Pradesh:
- Wildlife SOS Visit with One Way Transfer from Agra to Delhi: $52
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Transfer from Agra to Tundla railway station and vice versa: $34
- Transfer from Agra to Delhi Airport: $70
- Transfer Agra To Jaipur By Ac Car With Fatehpur sikari.: $85
- Sunrise Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri Tour With Transfer To Jaipur: $106
- Smooth Departure Transfer by Car from Agra to Lucknow: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Uttar Pradesh?
Prices for flights to both Uttar Pradesh 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 $12Uttar Pradesh $19
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 Uttar Pradesh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Uttar Pradesh.
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $17
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
- Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $21
- Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33
- Varanasi: 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Watch Bollywood Movie with Dinner in Agra: $35
- Seth Gali Bazaar Walk with Lavish on table barbecue dinner: $38
- Dinner at Agra with local Indian family : $40
- Cooking Class with Sona: $42
- Varanasi: Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
- Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.96Uttar Pradesh $11
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:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Mysticism of Varanasi Tour with a local including free Guided Boat Ride: $18
- Sunrise in Varanasi Tour with a local with free Ganga Aarti and Boat Ride: $18
- Marigold Boat Tour in Varanasi: $19
- Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour from Delhi by Cab: $20
Tours and Activities in Uttar Pradesh
Here are a few actual costs in Uttar Pradesh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
- Private Agra Tour to TajMahal from Delhi by Car: $27
- Skip-the-Line Private Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort: $5.78
- Taj Mahal Skip the Line Guided Tour with Optional Add ons: $5.78
- Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour with Add-ons: $20
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- "Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Tour With Guide": $15
- "Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour From Delhi": $105
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $289
- 05-Hours Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by TUK TUK: $5.00
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $90
- 1 Day Agra and 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour from Agra: $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.45Uttar Pradesh $6.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Uttar Pradesh
Also in Uttar Pradesh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Lucknow: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh, we can see that Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Uttar Pradesh 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 Uttar Pradesh Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Varanasi or Uttar Pradesh?
Uttar Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Varanasi. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh, 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.