A Travel Price Comparison for India Jaisalmer vs. Cochin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jaisalmer or Cochin?

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

Should I visit Jaisalmer or Cochin? 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 Cochin?

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.

Cochin

Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Cochin 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 Cochin is $36. 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 Cochin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jaisalmer $13
    Cochin $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jaisalmer $26
    Cochin $30
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Cochin

Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Cochin? 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 Cochin


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 Cochin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Cochin $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Bikaner : Private Transfer To Jaisalmer: $60
  • From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
  • From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Sam / Khuri Sand Dunes: $18
  • From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $43
  • Jaipur to Jaisalmer Transfer: $170
  • One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $44
  • One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
  • One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $12
  • One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Hotel To Airport: $12
  • Pokhran Airport transfer: $28
  • Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $12
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Cochin?

Prices for flights to both Cochin 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
    Cochin $12
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: $30
  • 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
  • Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
  • 8 Hours Private Tour in Thar Desert with Dinner: $42
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Cochin $10
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
  • Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Golden City Photography Guided Tour to Capture City Hues: $13
  • Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • Jaisalmer Photography Tour for Instagram- 2 Hour Guided Tour: $14
  • Explore Jaisalmer in Nightlights -2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jaisalmer $9.23
    Cochin $8.79


When comparing the travel costs between Jaisalmer and Cochin, we can see that Jaisalmer is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Cochin?

Cochin has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Cochin, 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.