Should you visit Jaisalmer or Dharamsala?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Dharamsala? 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.
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 city 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 $33, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $32. 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 Dharamsala 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $21. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Dharamsala the cost is $42 on average.
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.
The average traveler spends about $7.44 per day in Dharamsala 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Jaisalmer $12
Dharamsala $7.44
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:
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Local Uttrakhand Cuisine Cooking Class in Rishikesh:
$9.89
-
Udaipur Food Tour:
$12
-
Authentic Indian Tea Brewing and Paratha Cooking Private Online Class:
$15
-
Hyderabad Street Food Tour:
$16
-
Wagah Beating Retreat Border Ceremony (with Dinner) in Amritsar:
$16
-
Authentic Maharashtrian Cuisine Private Virtual Cooking Class from Mumbai:
$18
-
Mandovi River Dinner Cruise in Goa:
$19
-
Cooking Class And Dining Experience In Varanasi:
$20
-
Complete Desert Experience- Jeep Safari, Dinner, Cultural Programs and Bonfire:
$21
-
North Kerala Culinary Food Tour in Thalassery:
$24
-
Mumbai Walking Food Tour:
$25
-
Cooking and Dining Experience in Agra:
$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dharamsala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dharamsala.
-
Local Uttrakhand Cuisine Cooking Class in Rishikesh:
$9.89
-
Udaipur Food Tour:
$12
-
Authentic Indian Tea Brewing and Paratha Cooking Private Online Class:
$15
-
Hyderabad Street Food Tour:
$16
-
Wagah Beating Retreat Border Ceremony (with Dinner) in Amritsar:
$16
-
Authentic Maharashtrian Cuisine Private Virtual Cooking Class from Mumbai:
$18
-
Mandovi River Dinner Cruise in Goa:
$19
-
Cooking Class And Dining Experience In Varanasi:
$20
-
North Kerala Culinary Food Tour in Thalassery:
$24
-
Mumbai Walking Food Tour:
$25
-
Cooking and Dining Experience in Agra:
$27
-
Cooking Class with a Local Family in Mumbai:
$36
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.
The average price of local transportation around Dharamsala is $4.57 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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 Hotels to Jaisalmer Airport:
$11
-
Airport Transfer - Jaisalmer Airport to Hotels in Jaisalmer:
$11
-
Private Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport Transfers (BOM) for Mumbai:
$12
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport:
$13
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel:
$13
-
Private Amritsar International Airport Transfers (ATQ) for Amritsar :
$13
-
Private Jaipur International Airport Transfers (JAI) for Downtown Jaipur:
$14
-
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport Private Transfers (SXR) for Srinagar:
$14
-
Private Jaisalmer Airport Transfers (JSA) for Jaisalmer:
$14
-
Affordable Jaisalmer Airport Transfer:
$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
-
Dharamsala- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing (3 Days):
$304
-
Private City Transfers between Manali and Leh:
$267
-
Private City Transfers between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, Daman & Diu:
$96
-
Private City Transfers from Mumbai to Gokarna, Kolhapur & Aurangabad:
$74
-
Private City Transfers between Bangalore and Hampi:
$69
-
Private City Transfers between Amritsar and Dalhousie, Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala or Bir:
$59
-
Private Transfers From Delhi To Jim Corbett National Park:
$59
-
Private City Transfers between Ahmedabad and Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh:
$58
-
Private City Transfers between Agra and Meerut, Kanpur and Jhansi:
$58
-
Private City Transfers for Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur & More:
$57
-
Private City Transfers from Lonavala to Mumbai and Pune:
$56
-
Private City Transfers for Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur & More:
$55
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.
Entertainment
In Jaisalmer, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $11 per person, per day.
Dharamsala's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $4.95 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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
$4.00
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
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Shaniwar Wada Fort Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket:
$0.35
-
Akbar's Tomb Entry Ticket in Agra:
$0.39
-
Palace of Tipu Sultan Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket:
$0.39
-
Bekal Fort Entry Ticket:
$0.50
-
Bibi Ka Maqbara Fast-Track Ticket in Aurangabad:
$0.55
-
Warangal Fort Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Itmad-ud-Daulah Ticket in Agra:
$0.55
-
Hauz Khas Complex Ticket in Delhi:
$0.55
-
Kanheri Caves Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Badami Cave Entry Ticket:
$0.55
-
Mehtab Bagh Fast-Track Ticket:
$0.55
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
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Explore Old City of Hyderabad with Experienced Storyteller Online Experience:
$19
-
Instagram Tour in Delhi:
$101
-
Lamadug Trekking Day Tour from Manali:
$21
-
Mathura Vrindavan, Taj Mahal and Agra City Private Day Tour from Delhi:
$118
-
11D10N Golden Triangle and Holy City Private Tour from Delhi:
$863
-
2D Delhi and Agra Combo Private Tour:
$110
-
2D1N Adventure Camping in Jaipur:
$33
-
2D1N Bhandardara Lakeside Camping Experience :
$20
-
2D1N Bhandardara Lakeside Camping Experience from Mumbai:
$20
-
2D1N Gir National Park Tour from Ahmedabad:
$69
-
2D1N Golden Triangle Tour from Delhi:
$158
-
2D1N Hampi Private Sightseeing Tour from Bangalore:
$164
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 $8.23.
The average person spends about $4.95 on alcoholic beverages in Dharamsala per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaisalmer
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Jaisalmer:
-
Pub Crawl in Delhi:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Pune:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Mumbai:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Jaipur:
$18
-
Udaipur Pub Crawl:
$19
-
South Mumbai Pub Crawl:
$19
-
Pub Crawl In Bangalore:
$19
-
Pub Crawl in Goa:
$20
-
Sula Vineyards with Wine Tasting Day Tour from Mumbai:
$49
Sample the Local Flavors in Dharamsala
Also in Dharamsala, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Pub Crawl in Delhi:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Pune:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Mumbai:
$18
-
Pub Crawl in Jaipur:
$18
-
Udaipur Pub Crawl:
$19
-
South Mumbai Pub Crawl:
$19
-
Pub Crawl In Bangalore:
$19
-
Pub Crawl in Goa:
$20
-
Sula Vineyards with Wine Tasting Day Tour from Mumbai:
$49
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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