Which place is cheaper, Pushkar or Similan Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Similan Islands or Pushkar?
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 Pushkar 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 Pushkar?
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.
Pushkar
Pushkar is a city located in the state of Rajasthan, India. The city is considered a holy one; it's famous for its Brahma temple. It is also known for its ghats, its lake, and bazaar. Brahma is one part of the holy Hindu trinity and is known sit on a lotus flower (which is what 'Pushkar' translates to). In Hindu religion, Brahma is believed to be the creator of this world and Pushkar is the most important temple.
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 Sightseeing Tours in India, and The Best Cultural Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySimilan Islands $164Pushkar $28
The average daily cost (per person) in Similan Islands is $164, while the average daily cost in Pushkar is $28. 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 Pushkar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSimilan Islands $68Pushkar $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSimilan Islands $136Pushkar $24
Compare Hotels in Similan Islands and Pushkar
Looking for a hotel in Similan Islands or Pushkar? 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: Pushkar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Similan Islands $98Pushkar $4.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pushkar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $49
- Private Transfers Pushkar To New Delhi Drop: $61
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Jodhpur Drop: $49
- Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $43
- Private Transfer From Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Pushkar: $66
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Udaipur In AC Vehicle: $112
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Ranthambore In AC Vehicle: $117
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To New Delhi In AC Vehicle: $112
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Mount Abu In AC Vehicle: $112
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur In AC Vehicle: $71
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jaipur In AC Vehicle: $45
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Agra In AC Vehicle: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Similan Islands or Pushkar?
Prices for flights to both Pushkar 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 $36Pushkar $10
Typical Food Prices in Pushkar
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:
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Lunch$2.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pushkar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pushkar.
- Taste of Pushkar (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour Experience): $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Similan Islands $44Pushkar $8.22
Tours and Activities in Pushkar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:
- 10 Days Rajasthan Heritage and Culture Tour: $1,709
- 2 hours Sunset Camel Safari Adventure In Pushkar: $36
- 2 hours Sunset Camel Safari Adventure In Pushkar: $47
- 4 Days Jaipur Jodhpur Tour with Pushkar: $390
- 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $264
- 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $348
- 7-Days Golden Triangle Tour With Tiger & Leopard Safari: $661
- Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
- Afternoon Walking tour with Sunset & Arti -The Pushkar Route: $7.19
- Amazing 3 Nights 4 Days Jaipur with Ajmer Pushkar Tour: $624
- City Walking Tour-THE Pushkar Route: $6.76
- Cultural Walk of Pushkar (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySimilan Islands $9.35Pushkar $6.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Pushkar, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Pushkar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pushkar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pushkar 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 Pushkar.
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 Pushkar 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.