A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jaisalmer vs. Sado for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jaisalmer or Sado?

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

Should I visit Jaisalmer or Sado? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Jaisalmer or Sado?

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.

Sado

Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sado or Jaisalmer?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $44, while the average daily cost in Sado is $82. 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 Jaisalmer and Sado in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jaisalmer $13
    Sado $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jaisalmer $26
    Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Sado

Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Sado? 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 Jaisalmer


Hotels in Sado


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: Jaisalmer Hotel Prices and Sado Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaisalmer $11
    Sado $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer

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

  • One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $11
  • Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $12
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $13
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
  • Jaiselmer to any Bikaner Hotels drops Private transfers: $29
  • Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
  • One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $42
  • One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
  • From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
  • Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $50
  • 2-Night Camel Safari with Meals & Transfers: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Sado?

Prices for flights to both Sado and Jaisalmer 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
    Jaisalmer $22
    Sado $42
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer

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


  • Dinner
    $4.54

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: $25
  • Camel Trails Sunset Safari with Dinner: $29
  • Half day, non touristic sand dune ,camel safari with dinner : $29
  • Jodhpur Camel & Jeep Safari with Sunset, Folk Dance, Dinner: $30
  • Half-Day Camel Tour with Dinner: $34
  • Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $35
  • Dinner on the Dunes & Camel Safari: $36
  • Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
  • Camel Safari Campfire Dinner and Stargazing : $40
  • Jeep Safari, Camel Ride, Dinner and Folk Dance: $42
  • Half-Day Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jaisalmer $12
    Sado $8.74
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
    $3.41

Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer

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

  • City Sightseeing with Experienced Guide: $3.16
  • Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour w/Fatehpur Sikri: $4.50
  • Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $5.78
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise and Agra Fort Private Tour: $7.00
  • Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $11
  • Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $11
  • Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $11
  • 5.5 Hour City Walking Tour with a Guide: $12
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
  • Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14

Tours and Activities in Sado

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado are as follows:

  • Sado Island Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jaisalmer $8.76
    Sado $69


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Sado, we can see that Sado is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaisalmer would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaisalmer 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado than you might in Jaisalmer.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.


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