Namaste. I am Rohit, a guide. I have been helping pilgrims for the past 8 years. Every week, I meet families who want to visit Ayodhya and Varanasi together. They are two of the most sacred cities in India — the birthplace of Lord Rama and the eternal city of Lord Shiva. The question I hear most often is simple. "Bhaiya, dono cities ka kitna kharcha aayega?" How much will both cities cost?
The honest answer is that it depends. It depends on how you travel between them, where you stay, what you eat, and whether you book a package or plan it yourself. A family can do both cities comfortably on a modest budget. Or they can spend significantly more for premium hotels and private transport.
This guide breaks down every cost. It covers transport, accommodation, food, local travel, temple expenses, and package options. It is based on what pilgrims actually spend, not inflated estimates.
Let us begin.
The Complete Cost Breakdown at a Glance
Here is the total cost for a 3-day/2-night trip covering both Ayodhya and Varanasi, broken down per person.
| Expense | Budget (Per Person) | Mid-Range (Per Person) | Premium (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport (between cities) | ₹160–₹300 | ₹500–₹700 | ₹1,000–₹1,600 (private cab) |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | ₹800–₹1,600 | ₹2,000–₹4,000 | ₹6,000–₹12,000 |
| Food (3 days) | ₹450–₹750 | ₹900–₹1,500 | ₹1,500–₹2,500 |
| Local Transport | ₹200–₹400 | ₹400–₹800 | ₹800–₹1,200 |
| Temple Darshan | Free | Free | Free |
| Miscellaneous | ₹200–₹400 | ₹500–₹1,000 | ₹1,000–₹2,000 |
| Total (Per Person) | ₹1,810–₹3,450 | ₹4,300–₹8,000 | ₹10,300–₹19,300 |
Note: These figures exclude travel from your home city to Ayodhya or Varanasi. They assume you are starting in one of the two cities.
Transport Costs – Train, Bus, and Taxi
Transport between the two cities is the first major cost. Ayodhya and Varanasi are about 200 km apart, a journey of 4 to 4.5 hours by road.
| Mode | Time | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Train (Sleeper) | 4–5 hours | ₹160–₹260 |
| Train (3AC) | 4–5 hours | ₹520–₹570 |
| Bus (Ordinary) | 4–5 hours | ₹280–₹350 |
| Bus (AC Volvo/Private) | 4–5 hours | ₹450–₹700 |
| Private Taxi (full cab) | 4 hours | ₹2,500–₹3,200 |
The Verdict: The train is the most practical and budget-friendly option, with sleeper fares starting as low as ₹160 . A private taxi is the most comfortable for families, working out to roughly ₹625–₹800 per person for a group of four.
Accommodation Costs – Budget to Premium
Accommodation is the largest variable cost. Rates swing significantly between peak season (October–December, February–March) and low season (May–August) .
Ayodhya Hotel Rates (Per Room, Per Night):
Varanasi Hotel Rates (Per Room, Per Night):
For a 2-night trip (1 night in each city):
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Budget: ₹800–₹1,600 per person (twin sharing)
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Mid-Range: ₹2,000–₹4,000 per person
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Premium: ₹6,000–₹12,000 per person
Food Costs – Dhabas to Restaurants
Both cities are 100% pure vegetarian. Food is affordable if you eat where the locals eat.
| Meal Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Street Food | ₹50–₹100 |
| Budget Thali | ₹100–₹150 |
| Mid-Range Restaurant | ₹200–₹500 |
| Fine Dining | ₹700+ |
Daily Food Cost:
| Style | Per Day |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹200–₹400 |
| Mid-Range | ₹400–₹600 |
| Premium | ₹800–₹1,200 |
Total Food Cost (3 Days): ₹450–₹2,500 per person.
Local Transport – E-Rickshaws and Autos
Private cars cannot enter the old city lanes in either city. You will need e-rickshaws or autos.
| Mode | Cost |
|---|---|
| Shared E-Rickshaw | ₹10–₹30 per seat |
| Full E-Rickshaw Hire | ₹150–₹300 |
| Auto (short hop) | ₹50–₹100 |
Daily Local Transport Budget: ₹100–₹250 per person. For 3 days: ₹300–₹750 per person.
Temple Expenses – What You Actually Pay
This is the most important section of this guide.
Darshan at every major temple in Ayodhya and Varanasi is completely free.
There is no paid VIP darshan at either Ram Mandir or Kashi Vishwanath. A VIP fast-track coordination service at Kashi Vishwanath (₹300–₹500) is an optional convenience to skip the queue, not a requirement .
What You May Pay For (Optional):
Darshan Cost: ₹0. Always.
Tour Package Cost Ranges – Budget to Luxury
If you prefer a package, here are the current market rates.
Note: The UPSTDC package excludes lunch and dinner . Always confirm meal inclusions before booking.
Real Budgets for Different Traveller Types
Solo Traveller (3 Days, Budget)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Train between cities | ₹160 |
| Guesthouse (2 nights) | ₹1,000 |
| Food (3 days) | ₹450 |
| Local transport | ₹200 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹200 |
| Total | ₹2,010 |
Couple (3 Days, Mid-Range)
| Expense | Cost Per Couple |
|---|---|
| Train (3AC) between cities | ₹1,000 |
| Hotel (2 nights, 3-star) | ₹4,000 |
| Food (3 days) | ₹1,800 |
| Local transport | ₹600 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹600 |
| Total | ₹8,000 |
| Per Person | ₹4,000 |
Family of 4 (3 Days, Mid-Range)
| Expense | Cost Per Family |
|---|---|
| Private cab between cities | ₹2,800 |
| Hotel (2 nights, 2 rooms) | ₹8,000 |
| Food (3 days) | ₹3,500 |
| Local transport | ₹1,000 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹1,000 |
| Total | ₹16,300 |
| Per Person | ₹4,075 |
Family of 4 (4 Days, Premium)
| Expense | Cost Per Family |
|---|---|
| Private Innova between cities | ₹4,000 |
| 4-Star Hotel (3 nights, 2 rooms) | ₹18,000 |
| Food (4 days, fine dining) | ₹6,000 |
| Local transport | ₹1,500 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹1,500 |
| Total | ₹31,000 |
| Per Person | ₹7,750 |
3-Day vs 4-Day vs 5-Day Cost Comparison
| Duration | Budget (Per Person) | Mid-Range (Per Person) | Premium (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days | ₹1,810–₹3,450 | ₹4,300–₹8,000 | ₹10,300–₹19,300 |
| 4 Days | ₹2,500–₹4,500 | ₹5,500–₹10,000 | ₹13,000–₹24,000 |
| 5 Days | ₹3,200–₹5,500 | ₹7,000–₹12,000 | ₹16,000–₹30,000+ |
The Sweet Spot: 3 days gives you the best balance of cost and coverage. You can see Ayodhya and Varanasi properly without rushing.
How to Save Money Without Missing the Experience
1. Travel by Train Between Cities
The train costs ₹160–₹260 (Sleeper) compared to ₹2,500–₹3,200 for a private cab . For a family of four, that saves ₹7,000–₹9,000.
2. Stay in Dharamshalas or Budget Guesthouses
A clean dharamshala in Ayodhya starts from ₹200 per night . A budget guesthouse near the Varanasi ghats costs ₹800–₹1,200 .
3. Eat at Dhabas
A budget thali costs ₹100–₹150 . Street food costs ₹50–₹100 . You save ₹100–₹200 per meal per person compared to restaurants.
4. Use Shared E-Rickshaws
A shared e-rickshaw costs ₹10–₹30 per seat. For a family of four, shared e-rickshaws save ₹100–₹200 per trip.
5. Skip the "VIP Darshan"
There is no paid VIP darshan at either Ram Mandir or Kashi Vishwanath. Darshan is free. Do not pay for it.
6. Book in Advance
Hotels and trains are cheaper when booked 2–3 weeks in advance. Festival dates should be booked 2–3 months ahead.
Conclusion
An Ayodhya-Varanasi trip is not just a journey between two cities. It is a journey between two avatars. From Rama's birthplace to Shiva's eternal city. From the banks of the Saryu to the ghats of the Ganga.
The temples will not charge you. The darshan is free. The aartis are free. The experience of standing before Ram Lalla and Kashi Vishwanath is free.
What you pay for is transport, a bed, and a meal. And you can control every one of those costs.
Plan according to your budget. Book early. Travel light. And let the journey be what it should be — a pilgrimage, not an expense report.
Jai Shri Ram. Har Har Mahadev.
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