Should you visit Srinagar or Jaisalmer?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Srinagar or Jaisalmer, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Srinagar
Lying on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is best known for its gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats as well as local traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Srinagar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Srinagar is $22, while the average daily cost in Jaisalmer is $32. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Srinagar and Jaisalmer in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Srinagar is about $26 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $24 in Jaisalmer For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $2.24 per day to get around in Srinagar.
To get around in Jaisalmer, the average visitor spends $11 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Srinagar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Srinagar:
-
Srinagar To Leh, Ladakh Taxi (One way Transfer):
$295
-
Srinagar- transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing:
$275
-
Private Transfer from Srinagar to Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport:
$78
-
Private Transfer from Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport to Srinagar:
$78
-
Private Round Trip Airport Transfer in Srinagar:
$49
-
Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg:
$35
-
Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service:
$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Affordable Jaisalmer Airport Transfer:
$15
-
Airport Transfer - Jaisalmer Airport to Hotels in Jaisalmer:
$11
-
Airport Transfer - Jaisalmer Hotels to Jaisalmer Airport:
$11
-
Jaisalmer To Bikaner Private One Way Transfer:
$64
-
Jaisalmer- Transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing (3 Days):
$329
-
One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur:
$37
-
Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel:
$11
-
Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport:
$11
-
Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur:
$37
-
Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar:
$94
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel:
$13
-
Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport:
$13
Is it cheaper to fly into Srinagar or Jaisalmer?
Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Srinagar 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
In Srinagar travelers spend around $4.52 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about $12 per day in Jaisalmer for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Srinagar $4.52
Jaisalmer $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Srinagar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Srinagar.
-
2-Day Kashmir Private Tour from Srinagar with Dinner:
$70
-
4 Star luxury Kashmir Package including Dinner:
$816
-
15-Days Leh Private Tour from Srinagar with Dinner:
$1,000
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:
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Complete Desert Experience- Jeep Safari, Dinner, Cultural Programs and Bonfire:
$21
-
Dinner In Thar Desert:
$30
-
Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner:
$30
-
Sunset Safari With Dinner:
$31
-
Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner:
$35
-
Learn Cooking in Jaislamer - A Guided Activity:
$35
-
Jaisalmer Thar Camel Safari With Folk Dance & Marwari Dinner:
$36
-
Half-Day City Tour of Jaisalmer Sunset by Camel Ride with Dinner:
$64
-
Half-Day City Tour of Sunset at Sand Dunes with Dinner:
$80
-
Sunset Camel Safari in Jaisalmer Sand Dunes & Dinner with Cultural Program:
$86
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $8.96 per person, per day in Srinagar. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
In Jaisalmer, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $11 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Srinagar
Here are a few actual costs in Srinagar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
03 Nights 04 Days Kashmir Tour Package:
$135
-
4 - Days private Tour Srinagar , Gulmarg, Pahalgam:
$347
-
4 Days- Kashmir Tour Package:
$457
-
4 Nights 5 Days Kashmir Tour:
$272
-
4-Day Kashmir Private Romantic Tour with Pickup:
$169
-
4-Nights Kashmir Leisure Tour:
$502
-
5 Day Paradise Kashmir Tour:
$369
-
5- days Private Kashmir Tour Package:
$380
-
5-Day Kashmir Tour from Srinagar with Accommodation:
$300
-
5-Days Kashmir tour includes Accommodation and Private Transportation:
$277
-
5-Days Private Kashmir Honeymoon Tour from Srinagar:
$887
-
5-Night Kashmir Leisure Tour in Srinagar:
$206
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
$3.92
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
-
Jaisalmer Shopping Tour:
$5.13
-
Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan:
$7.00
-
Explore Jaisalmer in a Tuk-Tuk - A Guided Tour:
$10
-
Cultural & Heritage Trails of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour):
$11
-
Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer - Walking Tour:
$12
-
Jaisalmer Under the Stars - Night Walk Tour:
$12
-
Jaisalmer Walking Tour:
$12
-
Jaisalmer City Sightseeing Tour:
$13
-
Jaisalmer Photography Tour - A Private Car Tour:
$13
-
Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour):
$14
-
Golden City Photography Tour (2 Hours Guided Experience to Capture Hue of City):
$14
-
Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour):
$14
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Srinagar may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $2.24 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Jaisalmer, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $8.07.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Srinagar and Jaisalmer, we can see that Jaisalmer is more expensive. And not only is Srinagar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Srinagar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Srinagar 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 Jaisalmer would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jaisalmer than you might in Srinagar.
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