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 $41Jaipur $20
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $41, while the average daily cost in Jaipur is $20. 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 $12Jaipur $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $24Jaipur $20
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 $11Jaipur $1.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Ahmedabad: $117
- 2-Night Camel Safari with Meals & Transfers: $96
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
- Jaisalmer to Jodhpur Private Transfer with Door to Door AC Car: $57
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
- Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $45
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 via Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $250
- Delhi Airport (DEL) to Shimla Resorts-Arrival Transfer: $232
- 1 Day: Ranthambore Safari From Jaipur With Transfer To Agra: $227
- Private Transfer - Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar: $218
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri with lunch: $214
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort: $211
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort: $209
- Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers: $204
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri: $177
- One Way Transfer From Jaipur To Udaipur With Optional Stop at Pushkar / Jodhpur: $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 $20Jaipur $7.61
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- off beat Desert safari with sunset and dinner: $10
- Jaisalmer Food Tour: Taste the Flavors of the Golden City!: $13
- Authentic Desert Farm Visit and Cooking Class: $24
- Jodhpur Camel & Jeep Safari with Sunset, Folk Dance, Dinner: $25
- Dinner on the Dunes & Camel Safari: $25
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $25
- Camel Trails Sunset Safari with Dinner: $32
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Cooking Class with Local Family & Rooftop Meal: $37
- Jeep Camel Ride, Musical Evening & Traditional Buffet Dinner: $37
- Blissful Half-Day Sunset Camel Safari, Musical Eve & Dinner: $38
Typical Food Prices in Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
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Dinner$5.76
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Soda$0.10
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: $4.01
- Feast on the Streets: Best Jaipur Food Tour: $14
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $18
- Cooking class demo with dinner: $18
- Vegetarian Hands on Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $19
- Jaipur Pink City Cooking Class: $19
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Food Tour and Eat like Locals: $20
- Jaipur Cooking Class and home cooked dinner with Indian family: $21
- Cooking Classes in Pink City: $21
- Food Tour With Guide: $21
- Best cooking class with family in Jaipur - Activity in jaipur: $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $11Jaipur $3.33
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$3.14
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- 02 nights authentic wild camping & Luxury Camping Experience: $129
- 2 Days Sharing Group Thar Desert Safari Adventure Tour: $8.60
- 2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour: $111
- 2 Nights 3 Days Nomadic Thar Desert Adventure Safari Tour: $105
- 3 Days Private Jaisalmer Tour: $180
- 3 Days Tour in Wild Desert Safari: $70
- 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $177
- 4-day Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour: $206
- 5 Days Udaipur Jodhpur & Jaisalmer Tour: $266
- 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $214
- Adventure & Campfire Overnight Desert Safari: $32
- Adventure non touristic camel safari: $24
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$1.05
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
- 1 Day: Jhalana Leopard Safari+Abhaneri Step Well Tour From Jaipur: $272
- 1-Night Private Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Jaipur by Car: $248
- 2 - Days Mandawa Guided Tour From Jaipur With Bikaner Drop: $138
- 2 D Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Abhaneri Step Well's Tour From Jaipur: $193
- 2 Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Delhi From Jaipur: $192
- 2 Day Heritage Pink City Jaipur Highlight & Sightseeing Tour: $170
- 2 Day Jaipur City Tour with Ranthambore Safari: $107
- 2 Day Jaipur Tour for First-Time Visitors: $27
- 2 Days Jaipur Private City Tour: $44
- 2 Days Jaipur Private City Tour: $107
- 2 Days Overnight Jaipur Tour from Delhi: Private Tour: $203
- 2 Days Ranthambore Tiger Safari with Tickets: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $8.07Jaipur $2.50
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.