Which place is cheaper, Zagora or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaisalmer or Zagora?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Zagora? 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 Zagora?
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.
Zagora
A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $37Zagora $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, while the average daily cost in Zagora is $50. 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 Zagora in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $14Zagora $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $28Zagora $72
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Zagora
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Zagora? 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 Zagora Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Zagora $1.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $10
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $10
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $12
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Hotel To Airport: $12
- Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $12
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Sam / Khuri Sand Dunes: $18
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $43
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagora
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagora:
- Airport Private Transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Zagora?
Prices for flights to both Zagora 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 $13Zagora $13
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner: $26
- Jaisalmer Heritage Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $28
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $33
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Half Day Desert Safari with Camel ride & dinner: $42
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $48
- DiNnER !N G0LdEN DE$ERT 0F jASeLMeR: $55
- DiNnER iN HeVeN /aT Golden Desert of Jaisalmer: $55
- Away from the Crowd Dinner on dunes/ In Non Touristic Desert: $55
- Half Day City Tour of Jaisalmer visit Sunset by Camel Ride with Dinner: $56
- Half Day City Tour of Jaisalmer Sunset at Sand Dunes & Dinner: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Zagora $2.84
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$3.60
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $6.15
- Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $12
- Explore Jaisalmer with Professional Tour Guide: $12
- Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Golden City Photography Guided Tour to Capture City Hues: $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Explore Jaisalmer in Nightlights -2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Jaisalmer Photography Tour for Instagram- 2 Hour Guided Tour: $14
Tours and Activities in Zagora
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:
- 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $137
- From Agadir 4 Days 3 night Désert Tours to Marrakech: $1,335
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $355
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $357
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $377
- From 2-Day Desert Tour to Erg Chegaga: $290
- Marrakech: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour Zagora & BenHaddou: $112
- Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $215
- Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
- Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $9.25Zagora -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Zagora, we can see that Zagora 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 Zagora 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 Zagora would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zagora 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 Zagora Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Zagora?
Jaisalmer has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Zagora. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Zagora, 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.