A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jaisalmer vs. Osaka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jaisalmer or Osaka?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Jaisalmer or Osaka? 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 Osaka?

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.

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Jaisalmer?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Jaisalmer Prices
    India Prices
    Osaka Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Jaisalmer $44
    Osaka $110

The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $44, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $110. 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 Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jaisalmer $13
    Osaka $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jaisalmer $26
    Osaka $96
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Osaka? 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.

Hotels in Jaisalmer


Hotels in Osaka


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 Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaisalmer $11
    Osaka $14

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 Pushkar: $85
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $13
  • Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $12
  • One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $11
  • One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $280
  • Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $259
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $258
  • Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $244
  • Private Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $238
  • Private Transfer Between Kyoto and Kansai Airport KIX: $234
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Maizuru Port: $227
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
  • Universal Studios Japan Round Trip Shared Transfer with ticket: $219
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $209
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 day
    Jaisalmer $22
    Osaka $45
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:


  • Dinner
    $4.54

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
  • Camel Trails Sunset Safari with Dinner: $14
  • Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $26
  • Half day, non touristic sand dune ,camel safari with dinner : $29
  • 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
  • Camel Safari Campfire Dinner and Stargazing : $40
  • Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $43
  • Half-Day Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $46
  • Thar Desert: Camel Ride, Sunset, and Dinner with Stargazing: $46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
  • Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $30
  • 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $34
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $41
  • Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
  • Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $51
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
  • Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $54
  • Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $55
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $55
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Osaka $21
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
    $3.41

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.

  • Non_touristic Camel safari : $30
  • 1 night 2 days Thar Desert Experience Jaisalmer: $42
  • 1-Night and 2-Days Thar Desert Safari Tour: $44
  • 2 Days Non-Touristic Overnight Thar Desert Camel Safari Tour: $28
  • 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $233
  • 3 Days Private Jaisalmer Tour: $180
  • 4-day Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour : $222
  • 5 Days Udaipur Jodhpur & Jaisalmer Tour: $286
  • 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $231
  • Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour w/Fatehpur Sikri: $4.54
  • An Overnight Non-touristic Camel Safari (2PM to 11:30 AM Next Day): $44
  • Best of Jaisalmer (Guided Full Day City Sightseeing Tour by Car): $107

Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $31

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
  • Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
  • Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets Bus Tour Experience: $103
  • Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $241
  • Nara Deer Park,Uji Matcha and Hot Spring Full-Day Tour: $52
  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $74
  • 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $164
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
  • 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $165
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $124
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jaisalmer $8.76
    Osaka $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $24
  • Nada Gogo Sake Brewery Tour in Kobe from Osaka: $259


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Osaka?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Osaka, 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.