Should you visit Rajasthan or Jaisalmer?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Rajasthan 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: Rajasthan or Jaisalmer?
Rajasthan
It's time to visit the world of harems and maharajahs, palaces and fortresses, incense and mysticism. Rajasthan is a state in the northwest of India full of history and magnificent forts – the best in the country. Known as the Land of Kings, Rajasthan really has something for everyone. With sand dunes, jungles, camel trains, wild tigers, glittering jewels, vibrant cultures and a calendar full of festivals, this area is a must-see spot in this bucket list country.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India.
Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Rajasthan?
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 Rajasthan is $265, 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 Rajasthan and Jaisalmer in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Rajasthan 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.
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.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rajasthan
Also for Rajasthan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Two Night Safari Experience Ranthambore National Park &Transfers:
$270
-
Private 3-Day City Tour of Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace Including Transfers:
$260
-
Private Transfer - Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar With Lunch:
$259
-
Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort with lunch:
$250
-
Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort with lunch:
$247
-
Private A/c Transfer Mount Abu to Jaipur ( 4 Seat A/c Sedan ):
$238
-
Delhi Airport (DEL) to Shimla Resorts-Arrival Transfer:
$224
-
Private Transfer - Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar:
$218
-
Private transfer - Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri with lunch:
$214
-
Private Transfer from Udaipur to Jodhpur with Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur:
$213
-
Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort:
$209
-
Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers:
$204
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Delhi:
$197
-
Private transfer from Jaisalmer to Bikaner:
$120
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Ahmedabad:
$117
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur:
$117
-
2-Night Camel Safari with Meals & Transfers:
$96
-
Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple:
$90
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar:
$85
-
Jaisalmer To Bikaner Private One Way Transfer:
$64
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner:
$62
-
From Bikaner : Private Transfer To Jaisalmer:
$60
-
From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner:
$55
-
From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple:
$48
Is it cheaper to fly into Rajasthan or Jaisalmer?
Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Rajasthan 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
Rajasthan $98
Jaisalmer $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rajasthan
For Rajasthan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Jaipur Street food tour:
$4.04
-
chai and pakora cooking class:
$11
-
Food Tour in Jaipur:
$14
-
Durga Cooking Class:
$15
-
Jaipur Half-Day Evening Tour with Sunset and Dinner:
$15
-
Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour:
$18
-
Cooking Class in Jaipur with all Transport & Meals:
$18
-
Cooking class demo with dinner:
$18
-
Udaipur: Old city Tuk Tuk Ride & Food Tour with Female guide:
$19
-
Jaipur Pink City Cooking Class:
$19
-
cooking class demo with dinner:
$20
-
Jaipur Cooking Class and home cooked dinner with Indian family:
$21
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
off beat Desert safari with sunset and dinner:
$10
-
Jaisalmer Food Tour: Taste the Flavors of the Golden City!:
$13
-
Jodhpur Camel & Jeep Safari with Sunset, Folk Dance, Dinner:
$25
-
Dinner on the Dunes & Camel Safari:
$25
-
Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour:
$25
-
Camel Trails Sunset Safari with Dinner:
$32
-
Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM):
$35
-
Sunset Safari With Dinner:
$37
-
Cooking Class with Local Family & Rooftop Meal:
$37
-
Jeep Camel Ride, Musical Evening & Traditional Buffet Dinner:
$37
-
Shahi Half day non touristic sand dune camel safari with dinner:
$38
-
Blissful Half-Day Sunset Camel Safari, Musical Eve & Dinner:
$38
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Rajasthan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rajasthan.
-
(JODHPUR) BLUE CITY Guided TOUR with MEHREANGARH FORT:
$9.54
-
1 Day: Jhalana Leopard Safari+Abhaneri Step Well Tour From Jaipur:
$272
-
1-Night Private Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Jaipur by Car:
$148
-
2 - Days Mandawa Guided Tour From Jaipur With Bikaner Drop:
$139
-
2 D Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Abhaneri Step Well's Tour From Jaipur:
$195
-
2 Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Delhi From Jaipur:
$193
-
2 Day Jaipur Private Tour + Entry Tickets:
$101
-
2 Day Jaipur Tour for Authentic Experiences:
$30
-
2 Day Jaipur Tour with Car and Guide:
$49
-
2 Days : Guided Agra Tour From Jaipur With Drop at New Delhi:
$225
-
2 Days Delhi and Taj Mahal Overnight Tour from Delhi by Car:
$125
-
2 Days Jaipur Private City Tour:
$44
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
$3.11
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
-
2 Days Sharing Group Thar Desert Safari Adventure Tour:
$8.60
-
2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour:
$110
-
2 Nights 3 Days Nomadic Thar Desert Adventure Safari Tour:
$105
-
2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer:
$223
-
3 Days Tour in Wild Desert Safari:
$71
-
3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation:
$179
-
4-day Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour:
$209
-
5 Days Udaipur Jodhpur & Jaisalmer Tour:
$266
-
Adventure & Campfire Overnight Desert Safari:
$32
-
Adventure non touristic camel safari:
$44
-
All-Inclusive Jaisalmer Full or Half Day Sightseeing Tour:
$48
-
Amazing Overnight experience under the stars in Thar Desert:
$59
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Rajasthan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Rajasthan:
-
Pub Crawl Jaipur:
$35
-
Pub Crawl Udaipur:
$35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rajasthan and Jaisalmer, we can see that Rajasthan 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 Rajasthan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rajasthan 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 Rajasthan Expensive? and Is Jaisalmer Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Rajasthan or Jaisalmer?
Rajasthan has a larger population, and is about 910 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Rajasthan 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.
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