A Travel Price Comparison for India Leh vs. Jaisalmer for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Leh or Jaisalmer?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Leh and Jaisalmer. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Leh or Jaisalmer?

Leh

Leh is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. Today, the town is best known for its Buddhist sites and nearby trekking areas. It is situated in northern India, amidst the mountainous Himalayan range.

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 from New Delhi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai.


Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Leh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $39, while the average daily cost in Jaisalmer is $37. 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 Leh and Jaisalmer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leh $17
    Jaisalmer $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leh $34
    Jaisalmer $26
Compare Hotels in Leh and Jaisalmer

Looking for a hotel in Leh 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 Leh


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: Leh Hotel Prices and Jaisalmer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leh $7.86
    Jaisalmer $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:

  • Leh Airport Transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

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

  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $10
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $10
  • 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 Sam Sand Dunes: $19
  • Pokhran Airport transfer: $28
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
  • From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $43
  • One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $44
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $45
  • From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
  • From Bikaner : Private Transfer To Jaisalmer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Jaisalmer?

Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Leh 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
    Leh $14
    Jaisalmer $13

Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer

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


  • Dinner
    $4.79

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: $30
  • 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): $35
  • Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
  • Half Day Desert Safari with Camel ride & dinner: $38
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leh $14
    Jaisalmer $12

Tours and Activities in Leh

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:

  • From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507
  • LADAKH TOUR: $658

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
    $3.59

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

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

  • Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $6.13
  • private golden city heritage tour: $12
  • Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $12
  • Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
  • Private Guided City Tour with Golden Fort Visit: $12
  • Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $12
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Golden City Photography Guided Tour to Capture City Hues: $13
  • Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • Jaisalmer Tuk-Tuk Private Full Day Tour with Pick-up: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leh $5.57
    Jaisalmer $9.23


When comparing the travel costs between Leh and Jaisalmer, we can see that Leh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leh Expensive? and Is Jaisalmer Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Leh or Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Jaisalmer, 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.