Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala 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 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.
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 PricesDharamsala Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $46Dharamsala $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $46, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $40. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Dharamsala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Dharamsala $44
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Dharamsala $5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $12
- Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $12
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $43
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
- From Bikaner : Private Transfer To Jaisalmer: $60
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner : $62
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $34
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
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Food Meals for one dayJaisalmer $23Dharamsala $14
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.66
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
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner by Wanderlust: $30
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Experience Camel Safari With Folk Dance & Dinner: $37
- Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $46
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $46
- Thar Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner & Show: $49
- Jeep Safari,Camel Ride,Buffet Dinner & Folk Dance: $65
- Half-Day Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Dharamsala $5.41
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$3.50
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $12
- Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $12
- Cultural & Heritage Trails of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- 5.5 Hour City Walking Tour with a Guide: $12
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Guide Walking Tour: $16
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour by Super-fast Train: $16
- Walking tour of Jaisalmer: $17
Tours and Activities in Dharamsala
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $87
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $41
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $41
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $110
- McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $20
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
- Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $100
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $65
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $8.99Dharamsala $5.41
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Dharamsala?
Jaisalmer has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Dharamsala, 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.