A Travel Price Comparison for India Varanasi vs. Jaisalmer for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varanasi or Jaisalmer?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Jaisalmer 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: Varanasi or Jaisalmer?

Varanasi

Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.

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 place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Varanasi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $30, while the average daily cost in Jaisalmer is $37. 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 Varanasi and Jaisalmer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varanasi $16
    Jaisalmer $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varanasi $32
    Jaisalmer $28
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Jaisalmer

Looking for a hotel in Varanasi 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.

Hotels in Varanasi


Hotels in Jaisalmer


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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Jaisalmer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varanasi $4.98
    Jaisalmer $12
Typical Local Transportation prices in Varanasi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:


  • Tuk Tuk Through Town
    $0.96
  • Rickshaw Ride
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi

Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Agra: Agra to Varanasi One Way Transfer: $178
  • Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
  • Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $112
  • Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $95
  • Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
  • Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
  • Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $41
  • Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $41
  • From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
  • Private Departure Transfer to Airport from Hotel in Delhi By Car: $34
  • 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $34
  • Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
  • Private transfer from Jaisalmer to Bikaner: $120
  • Private Transfers Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Drop: $123
  • Private Transfers Jaisalmer To Bikaner Drop: $123
  • Private Transfers Jaisalmer To Bikaner Drop: $62
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $45
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple : $45
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Jaisalmer?

Prices for flights to both Jaisalmer and Varanasi 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
    Varanasi $7.18
    Jaisalmer $14
Typical Food prices in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner In Town
    $4.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Varanasi Food Tour: $30
  • Cooking Classes in Varanasi for 2 Hours: $30
  • From Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
  • Private Evening Rooftop Dinner: $44
  • 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
  • Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $50
  • Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarati Ceremony and Dinner: $62
  • Private Evening Street Food Tour: $63
  • India: Evening Ganga Aarti With Dinner and Private Transfer: $65
  • Private Evening Handicraft Market Tour with Dinner: $71
  • Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $100

Typical Food prices in Jaisalmer

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:


  • Dinner
    $4.81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer

For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class With Indian family in House & Sunset In Thar Desert : $20
  • Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner: $27
  • Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $27
  • Jaisalmer Heritage Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $29
  • Peaceful Non -Touristic Sunset Camel Safari With Dinner : $35
  • Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
  • Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
  • Experience Camel Safari With Folk Dance & Dinner: $37
  • 8 Hours Private Tour in Thar Desert with Dinner: $43
  • Dinner In Thar Desert: $45
  • Half Day City Tour of Jaisalmer visit Sunset by Camel Ride with Dinner: $56
  • Half Day City Tour of Jaisalmer Sunset at Sand Dunes & Dinner: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varanasi $11
    Jaisalmer $12
Typical Entertainment prices in Varanasi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Boat Ride
    $0.84

Tours and Activities in Varanasi

For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Romantic tour in Varanasi: $433
  • The best of Varanasi walking tour: $433
  • Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $70
  • 01 Day Private Taj Mahal Tour (Delhi- Agra - Delhi): $140
  • 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
  • 10 Days Private Buddhist Circuit Tour in Varanasi : $929
  • 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
  • 12 Days Buddhist Tour From The Birth To Death: $1,444
  • 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
  • 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $49
  • 2 Days Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $116
  • 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $132

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
    $3.61

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.

  • Jaisalmer Tuk-Tuk Private Full Day Tour with Pick-up: $16
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Jaisalmer with Guide: $32
  • 2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour: $102
  • 2 Nights 3 Days Jaisalmer Tour & Non-Touristic Camel Safari: $190
  • 2 day trip to Agra from Chennai without air tickets: $504
  • 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $211
  • 3 Days Jaisalmer Private Tour: $180
  • 3 Days Private Jaisalmer Tour: $180
  • 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $203
  • 3-Day Private Tour of Jaisalmer with Desert Camp Experience: $173
  • 4 - Days Jaisalmer Sightseeing Tour: $144
  • 4 - Days Jaisalmer Sightseeing Tour: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varanasi $7.90
    Jaisalmer $9.29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Jaisalmer, we can see that Jaisalmer is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Varanasi.

Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Jaisalmer?

Varanasi is bigger, and its population is about 17.2 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the population of Varanasi vs. 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 and the activities 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.
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Varanasi vs. Jaisalmer Travel Comparison

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