Which place is cheaper, Jaipur 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 Jaipur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Jaipur? 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 Jaipur?
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.
Jaipur
Jaipur, India, famously known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and is often a highlight for many travelers to the area. Dating back to the eighteenth century, it is part of the Indian Golden Triangle which also includes Delhi and Agra. It's also a stopping off point for travelers venturing into the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The city has a population of about 6.66 million people, making it the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and the tenth largest city in the country.
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 PricesJaipur Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $46Jaipur $22
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $46, while the average daily cost in Jaipur is $22. 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 Jaipur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Jaipur $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Jaipur $22
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Jaipur
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Jaipur? 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 Jaipur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Jaipur $1.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $125
- Private transfer from Jaisalmer to Bikaner: $120
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Ahmedabad: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
- Jaisalmer To Bikaner Private One Way Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner : $62
- From Bikaner : Private Transfer To Jaisalmer: $60
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From 2 Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with Transfers: $274
- Private 3-Day City Tour of Amber Fort, City Palace Including Transfers: $260
- Private Transfer - Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar With Lunch: $259
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $247
- 1 Day: Ranthambore Safari From Jaipur With Transfer To Agra : $227
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri with lunch: $214
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort: $211
- Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers: $204
- Transfer from Jaipur to Delhi with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Jaipur to Ranthambore tiger reserve 2 days 2 safari & transfers: $180
- One Way Transfer From Jaipur To Udaipur With Optional Stop at Pushkar / Jodhpur: $173
- One Way Transfer From Jaipur To Mount Abu With Optional Stop at Pushkar/Udaipur: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Jaipur?
Prices for flights to both Jaipur 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 $23Jaipur $8.04
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.68
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
- Authentic Desert Farm Visit and Cooking Class: $27
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $30
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner by Wanderlust: $30
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Half day, non touristic sand dune ,camel safari with dinner : $31
- Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner: $31
- 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
- Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45
- Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $47
Typical Food Prices in Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
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Dinner$6.44
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Soda$0.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaipur Street food tour: $4.48
- Cooking Classes in Pink City: $12
- Culture walking and food tour with guide in Jaipur.: $13
- Best Food Tour in Jaipur: $15
- Best Food Tour in Jaipur: $16
- Food Tour and Eat like Locals : $16
- Jaipur Shopping Tour & Food Tour with Local Expert factory visit : $18
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Jaipur Half-Day Evening Tour with Sunset and Dinner: $20
- Cooking class demo with dinner : $20
- Jaipur Cooking Class and home cooked dinner with Indian family: $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Jaipur $3.73
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$3.51
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: $34
- 1 night 2 days Thar Desert Experience Jaisalmer: $43
- 1-Night and 2-Days Thar Desert Safari Tour: $46
- 2 Days Non-Touristic Overnight Thar Desert Camel Safari Tour: $30
- 2 Days Sharing Group Non Touristic Camel & Desert Safari: $35
- 2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour: $109
- 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $225
- 3 Days Tour in Wild Desert Safari: $78
- 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $198
- 5 Days Udaipur Jodhpur & Jaisalmer Tour: $354
- 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $240
- Adventure Night With Cultural Show: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Palace Entry for Two$1.17
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
- Day Tour from Jaipur Bird Watching in Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur): $61
- From Ranthambore Tiger Safari Private Day Tour: $100
- Guided Jaipur City Tour With Drop Off at Udaipur: $110
- Half Day Jaipur Shopping Tour With Local Shopping Consultant : $13
- Jaipur Private Jeep Adventure Tour with Liquor Tasting: $101
- Private Guided City Tour of Jaipur : $48
- Private Tour to Sariska Tiger National Park by Car from Jaipur : $80
- Pushkar: Private Guided day tour From Jaipur : $74
- Same Day Taj Mahal Tour from Jaipur by Car: $250
- Taj Mahal City Tour by car or train from Jaipur: $230
- "Jaipur Elephant Experience: Bond, Connect, and Learn": $59
- 1-Night Private Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Jaipur by Car: $248
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $9.04Jaipur $2.66
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaipur
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaipur:
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Jaipur, we can see that Jaisalmer is more expensive. And not only is Jaipur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaipur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaipur 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 Jaipur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Jaipur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Jaipur?
Jaipur has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Jaipur, 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.