In short: it ranges from free to the price of a good hotel stay. Vipassana courses in the Goenka tradition and many monasteries are free or donation-based (dana). Lay-run retreat centres charge for food and lodging, usually with a sliding scale or reduced rates if money is tight.
Three ways retreats are funded
- Free, donation-based: you pay nothing before or during the course and may give at the end. Goenka-tradition vipassana centres work this way. See how to apply.
- Monasteries running on dana: guests are fed and housed by the community's supporters. Nothing is charged, but a gift is the custom. See how to stay at a Buddhist monastery.
- Fixed or sliding-scale fees: lay-run retreat centres and city groups charge for food, lodging and teaching. Longer retreats and private rooms cost more.
Read the full guide
How to pay less
- Choose a donation-based centre. Browse the directory and our list of free retreats.
- Ask about a sliding scale, bursary or work exchange; many centres have one and few advertise it.
- Pick a shared room or dormitory over a single room.
- Go off-season or midweek where rates differ.
- Start with a weekend or day retreat before committing to ten days.
What else to budget
Travel is often the biggest cost. Add time off work, and a donation at the end of a free course if you can afford one. Packing simply keeps extras low: what to bring to a meditation retreat.
Choosing a first retreat: meditation retreat for beginners · find a group near you
Questions people ask
Are there free meditation retreats?
Yes. Vipassana courses in the S. N. Goenka tradition charge nothing; costs are covered by donations from past students. Many monasteries also host guests on a donation basis.
What does a retreat fee usually pay for?
Food, lodging, building upkeep and, at lay-run centres, the teachers' livelihood. Fees often follow a sliding scale, and many centres offer reduced rates or work exchange.
What is dana?
Dana is freely given generosity. At a donation-based retreat you pay nothing up front and give what you can at the end, so the next person can attend.