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Major city · India

Jaisalmerजैसलमेर

Give Jaisalmer 2 nights plus one desert night: fort and havelis on day one, Sam dunes overnight, then leave. Skip it if you only have a week in Rajasthan.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Jaisalmer is a small desert city on Rajasthan's western edge, 300 km from Jodhpur and close to the Pakistan border. The fort is still lived in, the havelis are the real sight, and the desert is the reason most people come. Two nights covers the city; add a night at the dunes or in Khuri if you want the desert without the crowds.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
INR
Best months
Oct–Mar
avoid Apr–Jun (over 40°C (104°F)), Jul–Sep (monsoon heat and humidity)
Airports
JSA · JDH · JAI
Nights
2–3
Rules in force · 6
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
  • India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
  • India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
  • India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Jaisalmer112 ▾
  • All services (police, fire, ambulance)112
  • Tourist police1363

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Jaisalmer, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
  • Museum or sight ticketFort entry (Indians / foreign visitors)₹50 (≈ under US$1)₹250 (≈ US$3)
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse dorm bed, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
  • Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
  • High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₹7,000 (≈ US$80)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,500 (≈ US$55) · High ₹9,000 (≈ US$110)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila), a living fort and UNESCO World Heritage sitePatwon-ki-Haveli and the carved sandstone merchant housesCamel and jeep safaris into the Thar DesertSam Sand Dunes and Khuri
Airports
JSA Jaisalmer Airport (Civilian enclave of a military base, about 17 km (11 mi) southeast of the city; domestic flights only, and schedules change — check before booking.) · JDH Jodhpur Airport (About 285 km (177 mi) away; the usual fallback, then train or car.) · JAI Jaipur International Airport (About 562 km (349 mi) east; the closest international gateway.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    41°C (106°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    40°C (104°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    37°C (99°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    35°C (95°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →

Warmest May (41°C (106°F)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F) low), wettest Jul (4 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Jaisalmer: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

1 rd

Feb

27°C (81°F)

11°C (52°F)

1 rd

Mar

33°C (91°F)

17°C (63°F)

1 rd

Apr

38°C (100°F)

22°C (72°F)

1 rd

May

41°C (106°F)

26°C (79°F)

1 rd

Jun

40°C (104°F)

28°C (82°F)

2 rd

Jul

37°C (99°F)

27°C (81°F)

4 rd

Aug

35°C (95°F)

26°C (79°F)

4 rd

Sep

36°C (97°F)

25°C (77°F)

2 rd

Oct

35°C (95°F)

21°C (70°F)

1 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

15°C (59°F)

1 rd

Dec

25°C (77°F)

10°C (50°F)

1 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The old city is walkable: fort gate to Patwon-ki-Haveli is about 10 minutes on foot. Auto-rickshaws cover the rest; agree the fare before you get in. Bicycles rent around Gandhi Chowk. For Sam dunes, Khuri or Bada Bagh you need a car, taxi or an organised safari — there is no useful public transport.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Sam Sand Dunes

overnight

Door to door: 1–1.5 h each way

Car or taxi on Sam Road, about 40–50 km (25–31 mi)

Sunset camel ride and dune camp; staying the night beats a late drive back.

Khuri

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Car or taxi, about 40 km (25 mi) southwest

Quieter dunes and village; fewer camps, so book ahead in season.

Bada Bagh

go

Door to door: About 20 min each way

Taxi on Ram Garh Road, about 6 km (3.7 mi)

Cenotaphs on the ridge; go for late afternoon light.

Jaisalmer War Museum

caution

Door to door: About 30 min each way

Taxi on the Jodhpur highway at Thaiyat, about 15 km (9.3 mi)

Closed Tuesdays; check hours before you go.

Osiyan

skip

Door to door: 2–2.5 h each way

Train or car towards Jodhpur, about 120 km (75 mi)

Better done as a stop on the Jodhpur route than a return day trip.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Inside Jaisalmer Fort

Heritage guesthouses on the ramparts, best views and atmosphere; narrow lanes, no cars, and you carry bags the last stretch.

Gandhi Chowk and Gopa Chowk

The market core below the fort: walkable to the fort gate and Patwon-ki-Haveli, most restaurants and shops.

Sam Road and the dunes

Tented camps and desert lodges 40–50 km (25–31 mi) out; one night only, and only if you want the sunset and camel ride without a late drive back.

Khuri

Smaller dune village about 40 km (25 mi) southwest; quieter alternative to Sam, fewer facilities.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
Mid
₹3,000–6,000 (≈ US$35–70) excl. bed
High
₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × ₹3,000₹6,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹4,500₹18,000
Camel safari, half day2 × ₹1,200 · check₹2,400
Camel safari, overnight with camp2 × ₹3,500 · check₹7,000
Taxi Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, one way1 × ₹4,000 · check₹4,000
eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800₹1,600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge₹3,900
Trip total≈ ₹10,730 per person per day, bed included₹42,900≈ US$500

2026 estimate in rupees; flights and trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Local thali or simple meal₹50–150 (≈ US$1–2)
Rooftop restaurant main₹100–350 (≈ US$2–4)
Chai₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
Auto-rickshaw, short hop in townAgree the fare first.₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2)
Fort entry (Indians / foreign visitors)₹50 (≈ under US$1) / ₹250 (≈ US$3)
Patwon-ki-Haveli entry₹250 (≈ US$3) foreign visitor
Jain temples entry (includes camera)₹150 (≈ US$2)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Jaisalmer is a small, low-crime city and generally safe for tourists, including solo women in the main areas. The real risks are heat, desert safari touts, hard selling in the fort shops, and dehydration — not violent crime.
  • Desert safari touts: compare at least three operators and confirm what is included (camel time, meals, tent, return transfer) in writing before paying.
  • Summer heat Apr–Jun is dangerous; carry water and avoid midday walking.
  • Bhang lassi is legal from licensed shops but hits late and hard: one glass maximum for a first try, never on an empty stomach.
  • Fort lanes are steep and uneven; guesthouses inside the fort mean stairs with your bags.
  • Card payment is patchy outside hotels; carry rupees in small notes.

Emergency numbers

All services (police, fire, ambulance)
112
Tourist police
1363

Pocket card

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Jaisalmerजैसलमेर

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

इस पते पर ले चलिएTo this address, please

Emergency

  • All services112
  • Tourist police1363

Embassy

No embassies in Jaisalmer; the US, UK, Canada and Australia have embassies in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Check your own country's list.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Auto-rickshaw, fort gate to Gandhi Chowk: ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2), agree first
  • Taxi Jaisalmer to Sam dunes, one way: ₹800–1,500 (≈ US$10–18)
  • Taxi Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: over ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
  • Bus Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: about ₹2–3 (≈ under US$1) per km

Say or show

  • नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
  • धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
  • कितने का है? — How much is it? (kitne ka hai)
  • बहुत महंगा है — Too expensive (bahut mehnga hai)
  • शौचालय कहाँ है? — Where is the toilet? (shauchalay kahan hai)
  • कृपया मुझे इस पते पर ले चलिए — Please take me to this address (kripya mujhe is pate par le chaliye)

Jaisalmer is a small city: keep the card for the essentials below.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jaisalmer. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (over 40°C), Jul–Sep (monsoon heat and humidity) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for JSA: confirm which flights are actually running, taxi fallback from Jodhpur, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: fort interior, Gopa Chowk and the havelis, Gadisar Lake, Gandhi Chowk market.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (fort, Patwon-ki-Haveli, Jain temples, Folklore Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Desert safari operator checks: inclusions, camel time, return transfer, and a hostile-arrival fixture for the Sam Road camps.

Meanwhile

Back to India

Sources