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

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Should you visit Jaisalmer or Dharamsala?

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

Should I visit Jaisalmer or Dharamsala? 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 Dharamsala?

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.

Dharamsala

With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.

Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Jaisalmer?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $38, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jaisalmer $14
    Dharamsala $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jaisalmer $28
    Dharamsala $46
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Dharamsala

Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Dharamsala? 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 Dharamsala


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 Dharamsala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Dharamsala $5.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

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

  • Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $11
  • Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $11
  • Airport Transfer - Jaisalmer Airport to Hotels in Jaisalmer: $11
  • Airport Transfer - Jaisalmer Hotels to Jaisalmer Airport: $11
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $13
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $13
  • Affordable Jaisalmer Airport Transfer: $15
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $35
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
  • One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:

  • Dharamsala- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing (3 Days): $304
  • Affordable Dharamshala Airport Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Dharamsala?

Prices for flights to both Dharamsala 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 $14
    Dharamsala $8.48
Typical Food prices in Jaisalmer

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:


  • Dinner
    $4.87

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 Dharamsala

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

  • Private Full Day McleodGanj City Sightseeing & Cooking Class: $74

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jaisalmer $13
    Dharamsala $5.65
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
    $3.65

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.

  • Jaisalmer Shopping Tour: $5.13
  • Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $7.00
  • Explore Jaisalmer in a Tuk-Tuk - A Guided Tour: $10
  • Cultural & Heritage Trails of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $11
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer - Walking Tour: $12
  • Jaisalmer Under the Stars - Night Walk Tour: $12
  • Jaisalmer Walking Tour: $12
  • Jaisalmer City Sightseeing Tour: $13
  • Jaisalmer Photography Tour - A Private Car Tour: $13
  • Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14
  • Golden City Photography Tour (2 Hours Guided Experience to Capture Hue of City): $14
  • Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

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

  • Dharamsala Half Day Sightseeing Tour: $50
  • Half-Day Private Kangra Valley Cycling Tour from Dharamshala: $69
  • Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jaisalmer $9.39
    Dharamsala $5.65

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Jaisalmer and Dharamsala, 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.

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Compare Hotel Prices
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Jaisalmer vs. Dharamsala Travel Comparison

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