Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Jaisalmer?
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 Jaisalmer or Sapa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer or Sapa? 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 Sapa?
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.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam.
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Jaisalmer Prices
India PricesSapa Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaisalmer $44Sapa $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $44, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $45. 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 Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Sapa $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Sapa $22
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer or Sapa? 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: Jaisalmer Hotel Prices and Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $11Sapa $8.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Agra: $181
- Private transfer from Jaisalmer to Bikaner: $120
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jaipur: $117
- Transfer From Jaisalmer To Udaipur Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $90
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Pushkar: $85
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Bikaner: $55
- 2-Night Camel Safari with Meals & Transfers: $55
- Bada Bagh Sunset Tour with Private Transfer: $50
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $48
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- One Way Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Transfer: $42
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.14
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa 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
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Food Meals for one dayJaisalmer $22Sapa $27
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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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
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.58
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.08
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Coffee (for Two)$2.27
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.55
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Pho Soup$0.57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaisalmer $12Sapa $5.82
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$3.41
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Non_touristic Camel safari : $30
- 1 night 2 days Thar Desert Experience Jaisalmer: $41
- 1-Night and 2-Days Thar Desert Safari Tour: $44
- 2 Days Non-Touristic Overnight Thar Desert Camel Safari Tour: $28
- 2-Night Desert Experience with Luxury Camp from Jaisalmer: $233
- 3 Days Private Jaisalmer Tour: $180
- 4-day Jaisalmer And Jodhpur Combo Tour : $222
- 8 Days Private Tour Colors of Rajasthan from Jaisalmer: $231
- Agra: Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour w/Fatehpur Sikri: $4.50
- An Overnight Non-touristic Camel Safari (2PM to 11:30 AM Next Day): $44
- Best of Jaisalmer (Guided Full Day City Sightseeing Tour by Car): $107
- Best of Day tour of Fort, havelis and Sunset at Lake: $149
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.52
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.76
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Walking Stick$0.19
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.03
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaisalmer $8.76Sapa $7.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$0.95
When comparing the travel costs between Jaisalmer and Sapa, we can see that Sapa 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 Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Sapa?
Sapa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer and Sapa, 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.