Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Udaipur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Udaipur 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 Udaipur 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: Udaipur or Jaisalmer?
Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the "Venice of the East," is becoming increasingly popular as an Indian wedding destination as well as with travelers searching for a romantic and picturesque city, rich with history, scenic areas, and palaces.
The "City of Lakes" is located in south of Rajasthan. There are a total of ten lakes in the lake system, which are connected and sustain water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, which contributes to another reason for Udaipur's booming tourism: alcohol.
Udaipur has ideal climate and available water to support a liquor plant while a number of other Indian states ban the consumption of liquor altogether. Many local tourists, such as those from the neighboring dry state of Gujarat on the west, visit Udaipur specifically for this reason, especially considering that Gujarati alcohol prices are much higher and liquor must be purchased through the black market. It's no wonder why Udaipur is the destination for celebrations and vacation.
Udaipur has tropical weather and three main seasons, which are summer, monsoon, and winter. Winter, which takes place between September to March, is the most pleasant time to visit for sunny and warm days and cool nights.
Udaipur was also made famous in the James Bond film Octopussy. Several local hotels show the film nightly.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, and The Best Cultural Tours in India.
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Udaipur Prices
India PricesJaisalmer Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUdaipur $40Jaisalmer $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Udaipur is $40, while the average daily cost in Jaisalmer is $46. 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 Udaipur and Jaisalmer in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUdaipur $15Jaisalmer $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUdaipur $30Jaisalmer $26
Compare Hotels in Udaipur and Jaisalmer
Looking for a hotel in Udaipur 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: Udaipur Hotel Prices and Jaisalmer Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Udaipur $6.91Jaisalmer $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Udaipur
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Udaipur:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:
- Private Transfer from Udaipur to Ahmedabad Airport: $220
- Private Transfer from Udaipur to Jodhpur with Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur: $213
- Private Transfer From Udaipur To Delhi: $184
- From Jaisalmer : Private One Way Udaipur Transfer in AC Car: $147
- Jagmandir Island And Sunset Boat Ride On Lake Pichola, Udaipur Without Transfers: $134
- Dilwara Temples & Mount Abu: Private Day Trip with Transfer: $105
- One way City Transfer To/From Udaipur and Jaipur: $100
- One Way Transfer From Udaipur To Jodhpur With Stop at Ranakpur Jain Temple: $93
- Private One Way Transfer From Udaipur To Mount Abu in AC Vehicle: $93
- Private One Way Transfer From Udaipur To Jaipur: $92
- Private Transfer From Udaipur To Jaipur Via Pushkar: $85
- From Udaipur : Private Transfer To Jaipur Via Pushkar: $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Bikaner : Private Transfer To Jaisalmer: $60
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
- Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $125
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $44
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $12
- Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $12
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner : $62
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple : $45
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Udaipur or Jaisalmer?
Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Udaipur 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 dayUdaipur $19Jaisalmer $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Udaipur.
- Cooking class and dinner with Rekha family with full meals: $14
- Udaipur Shopping tour by female consultant optional cooking class: $15
- Durga Cooking Class: $17
- Durga Cooking Class: $19
- Old City Walking & food Tour with a Local: $20
- Breakfast Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $22
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $26
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $29
- 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session at Local Home (Udaipur): $50
- Evening Cooking Session and Dinner with an Indian Family: $50
- Kusum's Cooking lesson : $57
- Evening Boat Ride with Puppet Show and Dinner: $75
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaisalmer Food Tour: Taste the Flavors of the Golden City!: $14
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $26
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner by Wanderlust: $30
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Half day, non touristic sand dune ,camel safari with dinner : $31
- Half Day Sunset Camel ride & Cultural program dance & dinner : $31
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $38
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $47
- Thar Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner & Show: $49
- Jeep Safari,Camel Ride,Buffet Dinner & Folk Dance: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Udaipur $7.00Jaisalmer $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Udaipur
Here are a few typical costs in Udaipur for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Palace Entrance Fee$1.17
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Lake Boat Tour$2.34
Tours and Activities in Udaipur
Here are a few actual costs in Udaipur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Diwali with Udaipur Locals 2025 tickets - Meals & activities: $8.98
- Guided Udaipur Tour With Drop Off To Jodhpur Next Day.: $135
- 3 Days Private Udaipur City Tour With Kumbhalgarh Fort & Ranakpur Jain Temple : $125
- 3 Days Private Udaipur Tour: $130
- 3 Night 4 Days Udaipur And Jodhpur Tour: $135
- 4 Night 5 Days Udaipur And Jodhpur Tour: $155
- 5 Days: Udaipur & Jodhpur Tour with Accommodation: $336
- 7 - Days Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur Tour: $734
- Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Private Tour: $82
- Arawali Hiking Experience: $55
- Authentic Experience-City palace and Folk dance: $55
- Chittorgarh Fort Tours By Private Car: $84
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sam Sand Dunes for Two$3.51
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $12
- Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $12
- Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
- 5.5 Hour City Walking Tour with a Guide: $12
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Jaisalmer Heritage & Cultural Guided Walking Tour: $16
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour by Super-fast Train: $16
- Jaisalmer Tuk-Tuk Private Full Day Tour with Pick-up: $17
- Walking tour of Jaisalmer: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUdaipur $8.71Jaisalmer $9.02
Sample the Local Flavors in Udaipur
Also in Udaipur, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Udaipur: $38
When comparing the travel costs between Udaipur and Jaisalmer, we can see that Jaisalmer 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 Udaipur Expensive? and Is Jaisalmer Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Udaipur or Jaisalmer?
Udaipur has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Udaipur 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.
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.