A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Jaisalmer for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Jaisalmer?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Eilat or Jaisalmer? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Jaisalmer?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best 2-Week Tours in Israel, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Eilat?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $211, 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 Eilat and Jaisalmer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eilat $118
    Jaisalmer $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eilat $236
    Jaisalmer $24
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Jaisalmer

Looking for a hotel in Eilat 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.

Hotels in Eilat


Hotels in Jaisalmer


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: Eilat Hotel Prices and Jaisalmer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eilat $17
    Jaisalmer $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat

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


  • Local Bus
    $4.73

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 Eilat or Jaisalmer?

Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Eilat 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
    Eilat $77
    Jaisalmer $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Eilat

For Eilat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Feast at the Camel Ranch in Eilat with Dinner Alcohol Event: $95

Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eilat $20
    Jaisalmer $11

Tours and Activities in Eilat

For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
  • Eilat Mountains: Sunset Jeep Adventure to Mount Joash: $63
  • Morning Jeep Tour of Eilat Mountains: $63
  • Summer Night Guided Tour with Picnic in the Mountains: $63
  • From Red Canyon Guided Tour: $78
  • From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $78
  • Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $22
  • Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $75
  • Morning jeep tour in Eilat mountains: $75
  • Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
  • Private Scuba Diving Tour with Transportation and Guide: $220
  • Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $98

Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaisalmer

For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eilat $34
    Jaisalmer $8.18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Jaisalmer, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East 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 Jaisalmer would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaisalmer 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Jaisalmer.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eilat Expensive? and Is Jaisalmer Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Eilat or Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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.