Which place is cheaper, Jaipur or Similan Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Similan Islands or Jaipur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Jaipur can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Jaipur?
Similan Islands
There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.
The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.
Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.
Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.
You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.
There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.
Jaipur
Jaipur, India, famously known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and is often a highlight for many travelers to the area. Dating back to the eighteenth century, it is part of the Indian Golden Triangle which also includes Delhi and Agra. It's also a stopping off point for travelers venturing into the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The city has a population of about 6.66 million people, making it the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and the tenth largest city in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Budget Tours to India, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySimilan Islands $164Jaipur $19
The average daily cost (per person) in Similan Islands is $164, while the average daily cost in Jaipur is $19. 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 Similan Islands and Jaipur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSimilan Islands $68Jaipur $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSimilan Islands $136Jaipur $24
Compare Hotels in Similan Islands and Jaipur
Looking for a hotel in Similan Islands or Jaipur? 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: Jaipur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Similan Islands $98Jaipur $1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Jaipur to New Delhi Hotel / Accommodation: $49
- Transfer from Jaipur to Delhi with Tajmahal sight seeing: $200
- Transfer From Jaipur To Udaipur Via Chittorgarh Fort: $85
- Sanganer - A Visit to an Artisan Community with Private Transfer: $122
- Samode Town Excursion- A Visit to a Unique Rajasthan town with private transfers: $231
- Ranthambore Wildlife Safari Tour From Jaipur Including Transfers: $135
- Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tickets With Optional Transfers: $108
- Pushkar Sightseeing on Jaipur To Jodhpur Transfer: $86
- Private transfer: Jaipur to Udaipur enroute Trip to Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $289
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort with lunch: $285
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Udaipur via Chittorgarh Fort: $242
- Private transfer - Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri with lunch: $245
Is it cheaper to fly into Similan Islands or Jaipur?
Prices for flights to both Jaipur and Similan Islands 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 daySimilan Islands $36Jaipur $4.75
Typical Food Prices in Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
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Dinner$6.58
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Soda$0.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaipur Street food tour: $4.59
- Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $12
- Culture walking and food tour with guide in Jaipur.: $14
- Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class) : $16
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
- Cooking class demo with dinner : $21
- Jaipur Full Day Tour with local family dinner: $21
- Traditional Dinner with Family including Transfers: $22
- Taste of Jaipur (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour with Local): $24
- History Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Food Tour in Jaipur: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Similan Islands $44Jaipur $3.81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Palace Entry for Two$1.20
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
- From Ranthambore Tiger Safari Private Day Tour: $130
- Guided Jaipur City Tour With Drop Off at Udaipur: $110
- Half Day Jaipur Shopping Tour With Local Tour Guide: $35
- Jaipur Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $10
- Same Day Taj Mahal Tour from Jaipur by Car: $250
- Taj Mahal City Tour by car or train from Jaipur: $105
- 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour: $20
- 2 D Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Abhaneri Step Well's Tour From Jaipur: $221
- 2 Day Golden Triangle India Tour (Delhi - Agra - Jaipur): $258
- 2 Day Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Delhi From Jaipur: $219
- 2 Day Heritage Pink City Jaipur Highlight & Sightseeing Tour: $72
- 2 Day Jaipur Private Tour : $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySimilan Islands $9.35Jaipur $2.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaipur
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaipur:
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $32
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $39
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Jaipur, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Jaipur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaipur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaipur 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Jaipur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Jaipur Expensive?.
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.