Which place is cheaper, Jaisalmer or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $30Jaisalmer $37
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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Jaisalmer $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Jaisalmer $26
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.92Jaisalmer $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.95
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Rickshaw Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $176
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $169
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $111
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $43
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $43
- From Varanasi Airport Transfer: $36
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $34
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $30
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 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 Jodhpur Via Osian Temple : $45
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Delhi: $197
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Bikaner: $65
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel to Jaisalmer Airport: $12
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $10
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
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Food Meals for one dayVaranasi $7.10Jaisalmer $13
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$4.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $16
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $18
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $32
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.76
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: $27
- Jeep Safari,Camel Ride,Buffet Dinner & Folk Dance in desert: $28
- Desert camel safari with dinner in osian hotel pick and drop: $30
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $33
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- 8 Hours Private Tour in Thar Desert with Dinner: $42
- Half Day Desert Safari with Camel ride & dinner: $42
- Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $48
- DiNnER !N G0LdEN DE$ERT 0F jASeLMeR: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Jaisalmer $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.83
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Varanasi Experience 01 Night -02 Days Tour: $85
- 05 Days, Exclusive & Historical Varanasi with Ayodhya Tour: $304
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi : $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur : $90
- 1 Day Ayodhya Tour from Varanasi Airport: $82
- 1 day Varanasi Tour: $88
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $97
- 11 Days Spiritual Buddhist Circuit Tour: $1,371
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $49
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days : Varanasi Private Guided Tour With Airport Pickup: $179
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$3.57
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- 1 Night Desert Experience Sleeping Under Star Near Jodhpur: $55
- 1 night 2 day thar desert experience & village lifestyle: $38
- 2 Days Sharing Group Non Touristic Camel & Desert Safari: $35
- 2 Days-1 Night Camel Tour: $86
- 2 Night 3 Day Jaisalmer Tour with Non-Touristic Camel Safari: $125
- 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $221
- 3 Days Jaisalmer Private Tour: $180
- 3 Days Jaisalmer Tour From Jodhpur: $270
- 3 days Jaisalmer Private Tour with Desert Safari, Sightseeing and Accommodation: $202
- 3-Day Private Tour of Jaisalmer with Desert Camp Experience: $173
- 4 - Days Jaisalmer Sightseeing Tour: $167
- 5 Days Udaipur Jodhpur & Jaisalmer Tour: $340
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.82Jaisalmer $9.19
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Jaisalmer Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Jaisalmer?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi 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.