Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Dahab?
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 Dahab or Jaisalmer?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Jaisalmer 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: Dahab or Jaisalmer?
Dahab
Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is located in western part of the Rajasthan state of India. The city is known as the "Golden City" for its Sonar Qila, or 'Golden Fort'. This fort is different than other forts in India in that it is a living fort, meaning that it contains many hotels, homes, and shops for locals and visitors. The city is very close to the Thar Desert, to which excursions can be made.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Dahab Prices
Egypt PricesJaisalmer Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDahab $24Jaisalmer $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $24, while the average daily cost in Jaisalmer is $41. 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 Dahab and Jaisalmer in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDahab $8.87Jaisalmer $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDahab $18Jaisalmer $24
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Jaisalmer
Looking for a hotel in Dahab or Jaisalmer? 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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Jaisalmer Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dahab $2.96Jaisalmer $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $195
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $100
- Private Transfer Between Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $60
- Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $45
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner: $62
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $11
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $42
- Jaiselmer to Bikaner drop Private Transfers Car service: $27
- Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Jaisalmer?
Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Dahab 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 dayDahab $12Jaisalmer $21
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$1.90
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Juice$0.10
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Breakfast for Two$0.60
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaisalmer Food Tour: Taste the Flavors of the Golden City!: $14
- Authentic Desert Farm Visit and Cooking Class: $24
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $25
- Camel Trails Sunset Safari with Dinner: $29
- Jodhpur Camel & Jeep Safari with Sunset, Folk Dance, Dinner: $30
- Half-Day Camel Tour with Dinner: $34
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
- Dinner on the Dunes & Camel Safari: $36
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Shahi Half day non touristic sand dune camel safari with dinner: $38
- Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $42
- Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dahab $6.24Jaisalmer $11
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $42
- Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
- Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $41
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
- Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $30
- Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $260
- Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $270
- Mount Sinai & St. Catherine Sunset and Sunrise combined tour from Dahab: $170
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sam Sand Dunes for Two$3.18
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- 1 night 2 days Thar Desert Experience Jaisalmer: $41
- 1-Night and 2-Days Thar Desert Safari Tour: $41
- 2 Days Non-Touristic Overnight Thar Desert Camel Safari Tour: $28
- 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $228
- 3 Days Private Jaisalmer Tour: $180
- 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $179
- 3-Day Private Tour of Jaisalmer with Desert Camp Experience: $173
- 4-day Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour: $209
- 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $217
- Adventure Night With Cultural Show: $50
- Adventure non touristic camel safari: $24
- Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour w/Fatehpur Sikri: $4.50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDahab $3.70Jaisalmer $8.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Jaisalmer, we can see that Jaisalmer is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa and Jaisalmer is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Jaisalmer would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jaisalmer than you might in Dahab.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dahab Expensive? and Is Jaisalmer Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dahab or Jaisalmer?
Jaisalmer has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab and Jaisalmer, 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.