Which place is cheaper, Himachal Pradesh or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaisalmer or Himachal Pradesh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Himachal Pradesh? 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 Himachal Pradesh?
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.
Himachal Pradesh
With a name that translates to "abode of snow," Himachal Pradesh is a state in north-western India with opportunities for experiencing the Himalaya mountain range. Visitors come to the region to experience the mountain scenery, engage in Tibetan culture, and learn about the region's ancient past.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $37Himachal Pradesh $28
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, while the average daily cost in Himachal Pradesh is $28. 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 Himachal Pradesh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Himachal Pradesh $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Himachal Pradesh $36
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Himachal Pradesh
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Himachal Pradesh? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Himachal Pradesh $3.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private transfer from Jaisalmer to Bikaner: $120
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple : $45
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner: $65
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Ahmedabad: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $10
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Himachal Pradesh
Also for Himachal Pradesh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dehradun- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing: $271
- Affordable Chandigarh to Manali Transfer: $98
- Shimla Thermal Resorts to Delhi Airport DEL -Departure Transfer: $92
- Delhi to Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- From Delhi: One way Private Transfer Service to Agra: $64
- Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $62
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $54
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $53
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $47
- Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $46
- Private Transfer from Chandigarh to Delhi: $39
- Affordable transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Himachal Pradesh?
Prices for flights to both Himachal Pradesh 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 $13Himachal Pradesh $7.08
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sattvic Traditional Cooking Classes, Rishikesh India: $35
- Rishikesh Half Day Street Food Tour: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Himachal Pradesh $4.45
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$3.59
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Private Full-Day Tour of Jaisalmer with Guide: $33
- 1 Night Desert Experience Sleeping Under Star Near Jodhpur: $56
- 1 night 2 day thar desert experience & village lifestyle: $38
- 2 Nights 3 Days Jaisalmer Tour & Non-Touristic Camel Safari: $210
- 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $212
- 3 Days Jaisalmer Private Tour: $180
- 3 Days Jaisalmer Tour From Jodhpur: $270
- 3 Days Tour in Wild Desert Safari: $80
- 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $203
- 3-Day Private Tour of Jaisalmer with Desert Camp Experience: $173
- 4 - Days Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour: $180
- 4 - Days Jaisalmer Sightseeing Tour: $168
Tours and Activities in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private 3-Day Tour from Dehradun to Mussoorie Hill Station: $277
- 2 Day The Hipster Chandigarh Experience: $106
- 2-Days Private tour to Shimla: $95
- Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 1n2d: $39
- Adventure camping at Mussoorie - 2n3d: $71
- Adventure trip in Chakrata : $37
- Best of the Chandigarh (Guided Full Day City Tour): $131
- Caving Tour in Rishikesh - 6 Hrs.: $45
- Chandigarh Museum Tour with Tuk Tuk ride: $25
- Chandigarh Nightlife Tour with shopping and food tasting: $25
- Chandigarh Private Full Day Tour : $65
- Chandigarh Walking Tour : $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $9.23Himachal Pradesh $4.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Himachal Pradesh, we can see that Jaisalmer is more expensive. And not only is Himachal Pradesh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Himachal Pradesh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Himachal Pradesh 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 Jaisalmer would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jaisalmer than you might in Himachal Pradesh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Himachal Pradesh Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Jaisalmer or Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Himachal Pradesh, 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.