Which place is cheaper, Bikaner or Jaisalmer?
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 Jaisalmer or Bikaner?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Bikaner? 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 Bikaner?
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.
Bikaner
Bikaner is located in the Rajasthan state in northwest India. This city is where the headquarters of Bikaner District and Division are located. The city was founded in 1486 by Rao Bika, and has a population of about 645,000 people.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.
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Jaisalmer Prices
India PricesBikaner Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $46Bikaner $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $46, while the average daily cost in Bikaner is $59. 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 Bikaner in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Bikaner $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Bikaner $40
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Bikaner
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Bikaner? 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 Bikaner Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Bikaner $12
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 Bikaner: $120
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
- 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 Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Delhi: $197
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner : $62
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Ahmedabad: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bikaner
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bikaner:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bikaner
Also for Bikaner, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bikaner Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $136
- Self Guided Bikaner City Tour With One Way Transfer To Jaipur : $108
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jaisalmer: $60
- One-Way Transfer: Jaipur/Pushker/Jodhpur/Bikaner: $52
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jodhpur: $48
- Bikaner Airport to Bikaner Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $5.97
- Bikaner Hotels to Bikaner Airport drop: Private Transfers: $5.97
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Bikaner?
Prices for flights to both Bikaner 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
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Food Meals for one dayJaisalmer $23Bikaner $28
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.68
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
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $26
- Authentic Desert Farm Visit and Cooking Class: $27
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner by Wanderlust: $30
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Half day, non touristic sand dune ,camel safari with dinner : $30
- Half Day Sunset Camel ride & Cultural program dance & dinner : $30
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Jodhpur Camel & Jeep Safari with Sunset, Folk Dance, Dinner: $41
- Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $46
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Rajasthani Cooking Class in Bikaner: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Bikaner $14
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$3.51
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: $42
- 2 Days Non-Touristic Overnight Thar Desert Camel Safari Tour: $29
- 2 Days Sharing Group Non Touristic Camel & Desert Safari: $34
- 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $231
- 3-Day Private Tour of Jaisalmer with Desert Camp Experience: $173
- 5 Days Udaipur Jodhpur & Jaisalmer Tour: $291
- 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $239
- Adventure Night With Cultural Show: $45
- Amazing Overnight experience under the stars in Thar Desert: $59
- An Overnight Non-touristic Camel Safari (2PM to 11:30 AM Next Day): $42
- Best of Golden City "JAISALAMER" tour: $165
- Buoyant Luxurious Overnight Thar Desert Camping Tour: $156
Tours and Activities in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 11-Day Rajasthan Tour: Jaipur, Udaipur & More: $646
- 8 Days Rajasthan Tour - Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer & Bikaner: $589
- 8-Day Desert Adventure - Jodhpur, Jaisalmer & Bikaner: $470
- 9 Days Rajasthan Tour: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer & Udaipur: $529
- A Private Guided Tour in Bikaner: $115
- Bikaner 2 Hour Guided Street Food Tasting Tour: $24
- Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Bhandeshwari Jain Temple and Lunch: $118
- Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Junagarh Fort & Temples: $75
- Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Junagarh Fort & Temples and Lunch: $149
- Bikaner to Jaisalmer: Junagarh Fort & Rat Temple Tour: $59
- Discover Bikaner in Nightlights (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- From Rat Temple Tour with Drop-off at Jodhpur: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $9.02Bikaner $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Bikaner, we can see that Bikaner 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 Bikaner would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bikaner 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 Bikaner Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Bikaner?
Bikaner has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Bikaner, 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.