Which place is cheaper, Meknes or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jaisalmer or Meknes?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Meknes? 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 Meknes?
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.
Meknes
So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.
-
Jaisalmer Prices
India PricesMeknes Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $41Meknes $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $41, while the average daily cost in Meknes is $61. 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 Meknes in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $12Meknes $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $24Meknes $56
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Meknes
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Meknes? 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 Meknes Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $11Meknes $1.56
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 Bikaner: $120
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner: $62
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
- 2-Night Camel Safari with Meals & Transfers: $55
- Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $50
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $45
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Meknes?
Prices for flights to both Meknes 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
-
Food Meals for one dayJaisalmer $20Meknes $27
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
-
Dinner$4.20
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: $25
- Camel Trails Sunset Safari with Dinner: $29
- Jodhpur Camel & Jeep Safari with Sunset, Folk Dance, Dinner: $30
- Half-Day Camel Tour with Dinner: $34
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
- Dinner on the Dunes & Camel Safari: $36
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $42
- Half-Day Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $45
- Thar Desert: Camel Ride, Sunset, and Dinner with Stargazing: $54
- Jeep Safari,Camel Ride,Buffet Dinner & Folk Dance: $55
Typical Food Prices in Meknes
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:
-
Popcorn$0.21
-
Spices$2.67
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $11Meknes $3.80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Sam Sand Dunes for Two$3.15
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- 1 night 2 days Thar Desert Experience Jaisalmer: $41
- 1-Night and 2-Days Thar Desert Safari Tour: $40
- 2 Days Non-Touristic Overnight Thar Desert Camel Safari Tour: $28
- 2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour: $110
- 3 Days Private Jaisalmer Tour: $180
- 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $176
- 4-day Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour: $205
- 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $213
- Adventure Night With Cultural Show: $54
- Adventure non touristic camel safari: $24
- Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour w/Fatehpur Sikri: $4.50
- Amazing Overnight experience under the stars in Thar Desert: $59
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $8.09Meknes $2.81
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:
-
Bottle of Wine$4.91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Meknes, we can see that Meknes is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaisalmer is in Asia and Meknes is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Meknes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Meknes 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 Meknes Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Meknes?
Meknes has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Meknes, 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.