Should you visit Jaisalmer or Bikaner?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Bikaner? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Bikaner or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $32, while the average daily cost in Bikaner is $42. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Jaisalmer and Bikaner in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $24 in Jaisalmer For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Travelers usually pay around $36 for a double occupancy room in Bikaner If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Local Transportation
To get around in Jaisalmer, the average visitor spends $11 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Bikaner's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $11 per person, per day on transportation in Bikaner.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur:
$37
-
Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur:
$35
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes:
$19
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar:
$85
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes:
$19
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple:
$41
-
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:
$67
-
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:
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:
$104
-
Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jaisalmer:
$67
-
Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jodhpur:
$46
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
The average traveler spends about $12 per day in Jaisalmer for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Bikaner cost around $15 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.00.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Jaisalmer $12
Bikaner $15
Typical Food prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Complete Desert Experience- Jeep Safari, Dinner, Cultural Programs and Bonfire:
$21
-
Dinner In Thar Desert:
$30
-
Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner:
$30
-
Sunset Safari With Dinner:
$31
-
Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner:
$35
-
Learn Cooking in Jaislamer - A Guided Activity:
$35
-
Jaisalmer Thar Camel Safari With Folk Dance & Marwari Dinner:
$36
-
Half-Day City Tour of Jaisalmer Sunset by Camel Ride with Dinner:
$64
-
Half-Day City Tour of Sunset at Sand Dunes with Dinner:
$80
-
Sunset Camel Safari in Jaisalmer Sand Dunes & Dinner with Cultural Program:
$86
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:
$109
Entertainment
In Jaisalmer, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $11 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Bikaner can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $13 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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
$3.92
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
-
( Overnight Camel Safari ) non touristic area:
$25
-
1 Night Camel Safari Tour In Jaisalmer:
$77
-
1 Night and 2 half Day Safari - Non Touristic:
$35
-
2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour:
$93
-
2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer:
$114
-
3-Day Rajasthan Desert Private Cultural Tour with Camel Ride:
$94
-
6 Nights 7 Days Jaisalmer, Jodhpur & Udaipur Tour Package ( Per Couple):
$1,026
-
6-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Udaipur Lakes and Desert:
$231
-
8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer:
$280
-
Adventure Night With Cultural Show:
$48
-
Adventure in Sand: Jaisalmer - Longewala - 3 days group tour:
$128
-
Adventure night with cultural show:
$31
Tours and Activities in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
A Private Guided Tour in Bikaner:
$104
-
Bikaner 2 Hour Guided Street Food Tasting Tour:
$14
-
Bikaner City Tour (Pickup from Hotel):
$80
-
Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Junagarh Fort & Temples and Lunch:
$79
-
Gajner Palace Lake Side Stay with village experience:
$121
-
Guided Sightseeing In Bikaner:
$104
-
Heritage & Cultural Trails of Bikaner (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour):
$6.98
-
Heritage & Cultural Trails of Bikaner (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour):
$11
-
Highlights of Bikaner, Guided Half-Day Car Tour:
$49
-
Horse Carriage (Tonga) Tour In The Old City Of Bikaner:
$107
-
One Day Private Tour Bikaner:
$18
-
Private Custom Tour: Bikaner Sightseeing with Guide:
$78
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Jaisalmer, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $8.07.
Typically, people visiting Bikaner spend on average $10 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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.
Related Articles for Jaisalmer
Related Articles for Bikaner
