Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Kathmandu? 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.
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.
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $57. 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 Kathmandu in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Kathmandu? 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.
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaisalmer would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaisalmer 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Jaisalmer.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Kathmandu, 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.