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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Jaisalmer?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Jaisalmer, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Jaisalmer?

Koh Samet

The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Koh Samet?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $129, while the average daily cost in Jaisalmer is $41. 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 Koh Samet and Jaisalmer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $36
    Jaisalmer $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $72
    Jaisalmer $24
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Jaisalmer

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Jaisalmer? 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 Koh Samet


Hotels in Jaisalmer


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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Jaisalmer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $76
    Jaisalmer $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

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

  • Jaisalmer Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $8.15
  • One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $11
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
  • Jaiselmer to Bikaner drop Private Transfers Car service: $27
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
  • One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $42
  • One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $45
  • From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
  • Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $50
  • 2-Night Camel Safari with Meals & Transfers: $55
  • From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Jaisalmer?

Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Koh Samet 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
    Koh Samet $53
    Jaisalmer $21

Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer

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


  • Dinner
    $4.24

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
  • Authentic Desert Farm Visit and Cooking Class: $24
  • 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
  • Shahi Half day non touristic sand dune camel safari with dinner: $38
  • Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $42
  • Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $9.99
    Jaisalmer $11

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
    $3.18

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

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

  • City Sightseeing with Experienced Guide: $3.16
  • Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour w/Fatehpur Sikri: $4.50
  • Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $5.43
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Fort Private Tour: $7.00
  • Private Jaisalmer Fort & old city tour: $10
  • Private Heritage Walking Tour in Jaisalmer Fort and Old Bazaar: $10
  • Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $11
  • Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $11
  • Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $11
  • Cultural & Heritage Trails of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
  • Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
  • 5.5 Hour City Walking Tour with a Guide: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $5.21
    Jaisalmer $8.18


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