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

Should you visit Jaisalmer or Bali?

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

Should I visit Jaisalmer or Bali? 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 Bali?

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.

Bali

Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.

Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bali or Jaisalmer?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, while the average daily cost in Bali is $73. 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 Bali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jaisalmer $13
    Bali $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jaisalmer $26
    Bali $84
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Bali

Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Bali? 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 Jaisalmer


Hotels in Bali


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 Bali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Bali $9.03

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 Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $109
  • BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
  • West Beach Nusa Penida Tour with Speedboat Transfer from Sanur: $99
  • Drive Your Own Jet Ski Without Instructor With Private Transfer: $85
  • Unforgettable Batur Volcano Hiking With Private Transfer: $85
  • Batur Volcano Jeep Tour Include Private Transfer: $80
  • Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Horse Riding on the Black Sand Beach and Free Hotel Transfers: $74
  • Nusa Penida All-Inclusive Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $66
  • Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $64
  • Ubud: Sky Bike and Jungle Swing Experience with Transfer: $63
  • Bali to/from Gili Gede: Fast Boat (Optional Bali Transfer): $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Bali?

Prices for flights to both Bali 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 day
    Jaisalmer $13
    Bali $21
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 Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $1.24
  • Lunch for Two
    $14
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $27
  • Lunch for Two
    $8.07
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.93
  • Dinner for 2
    $9.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.

  • ​​The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $28
  • Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset : $29
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset in the Beach: $30
  • Uluwatu Temple Kecak And Dinner Half Day Private Guided Tour: $30
  • Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
  • From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
  • From Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
  • Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Bali $11
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 Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:


  • Spa for Two
    $54
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $12
  • Cooking School
    $28

Tours and Activities in Bali

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:

  • ATV Rafting Jungle Swing Private Guided Tour : $63
  • Bali Telaga Waja White Water Rafting Adventure : $47
  • Lembongan Snorkeling and Island Tour: $80
  • Nusa Penida Snorkeling Adventure (Private & All-Inclusive): $129
  • Private Tour Bali Bird Park And Ubud Tour: $110
  • Private Tours Tegenungan Waterfall Ubud Palace & Market: $80
  • Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
  • White Water Rafting Adventure at Telaga Waja River : $43
  • (BCR Rafting) Rafting Adventure in Telaga Waja River 18km: $55
  • 2 Day Tours Ubud Art Village, Dance And Other Tourist Attractions: $186
  • 2 Days Private Tours : Watersport And Uluwatu Temple: $124
  • 2-Hour Private Luxury Spa Experience Bali Aromatherapy Massage: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jaisalmer $9.23
    Bali $3.20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Bali, we can see that Bali 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali 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 Bali Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Bali, 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.