Which place is cheaper, Ayutthaya or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jaisalmer or Ayutthaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Ayutthaya? 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: Jaisalmer or Ayutthaya?
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.
Ayutthaya
Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $37Ayutthaya $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, while the average daily cost in Ayutthaya is $62. 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 Jaisalmer and Ayutthaya in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Ayutthaya $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Ayutthaya $42
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Ayutthaya
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Ayutthaya? 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: Jaisalmer Hotel Prices and Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Ayutthaya $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $10
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $10
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Hotel To Airport: $12
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $12
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Sam / Khuri Sand Dunes: $18
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
- Pokhran Airport transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $43
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
-
River Ferry Crossing$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ayutthaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ayutthaya:
- Transfer from Bangkok: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Ayutthaya?
Prices for flights to both Ayutthaya and Jaisalmer 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 dayJaisalmer $13Ayutthaya $20
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
-
Dinner$4.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner: $26
- Jaisalmer Heritage Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $28
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $33
- Peaceful Non -Touristic Sunset Camel Safari With Dinner : $35
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Half Day Desert Safari with Camel ride & dinner: $42
- Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $48
- DiNnER iN HeVeN /aT Golden Desert of Jaisalmer: $55
- Away from the Crowd Dinner on dunes/ In Non Touristic Desert: $55
- DiNnER !N G0LdEN DE$ERT 0F jASeLMeR: $55
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
-
Lunch for 2$3.82
-
Ice Cream$0.82
-
Breakfast for 2$3.82
-
Breakfast for 2$9.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ayutthaya
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ayutthaya.
- Bangkok: VELA Dinner Cruise Ticket: $19
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Ayutthaya $27
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$3.59
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $6.14
- Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $12
- Explore Jaisalmer with Professional Tour Guide: $12
- Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Golden City Photography Guided Tour to Capture City Hues: $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Explore Jaisalmer in Nightlights -2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Jaisalmer Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:
-
Temple Entrances (2)$5.46
-
Wat Entrance$1.36
Tours and Activities in Ayutthaya
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ayutthaya are as follows:
- AYUTTHAYA : Private Car Rental & Customize Tour with Driver: $49
- Ayutthaya 1-day Private Tour : UNESCO World Heritage Site: $141
- Ayutthaya City and Historical Park Bike Tour: $35
- Ayutthaya’s Heritage Revealed A Day Tour from Bangkok: $632
- Ancient City Temple Tour: $162
- Colors of UNESCO Heritage 6 hour Bicycle Tour: $54
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Day Tour Small Group: $57
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Full Day Private Guided Tour: $350
- From Bangkok: Tour Ayutthaya + Lunch + Spanish guide: $146
- The Incredible Ayutthaya Ancient Temple Tour: $51
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $9.23Ayutthaya $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Ayutthaya, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya 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 Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Ayutthaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Ayutthaya?
Ayutthaya has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Ayutthaya, 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.