Rajasthan, India's largest state by area, is a land of vibrant colors, majestic forts, and royal palaces that transport visitors back to an era of Maharajas and ancient trade routes. From the pink-hued city of Jaipur to the blue alleys of Jodhpur and the shimmering lakes of Udaipur, Rajasthan offers an unparalleled tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. The Thar Desert in the west and the Aravalli mountain range create dramatic landscapes that make Rajasthan one of India's most photogenic and culturally rich destinations.
Local currency: Indian Rupee (INR).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Rajasthan.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $6-12/night (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $12-30/night (private guesthouse room)
- Midrange
- $50-120/night (heritage boutique hotel)
- Luxury
- $200-1000+/night (palace hotel)
Food
- Street
- $1-3 per item (kachori, kebab, chai)
- Local
- $3-6 per thali at local restaurant
- Midrange
- $10-20 per meal at heritage restaurant
- Fine
- $40-80+ per person at palace restaurant
Transport
- Bus
- $1-5 local city bus or RSRTC intercity
- Taxi
- $5-15 for city taxi/ride share
- Airport
- $10-20 taxi to city center
- Daytrip
- $20-50 hired car for a day trip
Activities
- Museum
- $3-8 standard museum/fort entry (foreigners)
- Sites
- $5-10 major fort or palace entry
- Tour
- $15-40 guided walking or heritage tour
- Excursion
- $30-80 wildlife safari or desert overnight
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Rajasthan costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$175-210 for 7 days (backpacker, hostels, local food, public transport)
Midrange traveller
$560-840 for 7 days (heritage guesthouses, restaurant meals, some private transport)
Luxury traveller
$2800-4200+ for 7 days (palace hotels, fine dining, private car)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Jaipur City Pass (₹2000 /$24 foreigners) covering 7 major Jaipur attractions — saves 30-40%
Eat where locals eat — thali restaurants cost $3-5 and are often more authentic than tourist restaurants
Travel between cities by train — far cheaper than private taxis and a great experience
Book desert camps directly with camp owners by phone to avoid online booking platform fees
Visit markets early morning for best prices on handicrafts before tourist hours
Use Ola or Uber in Jaipur for metered fares — auto-rickshaws often overcharge tourists
Many forts offer free entry for Indian nationals but foreigners pay more — this is normal
Travel in shoulder season (March or September-October) for 20-40% cheaper hotel rates
Book accommodation well in advance for November-February peak season to avoid price surge
Hire a private car with driver for multi-city touring — cheaper than multiple trains when split in a group
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Jal Mahal Lake Walk
Walk along Man Sagar Lake to view the Water Palace from the road — free and spectacular at sunrise
Jodhpur Blue City Walk
Walk the lanes of Jodhpur's old city and experience the blue-painted houses without any entry fees
Pushkar Ghats
Walk the 52 bathing ghats around Pushkar Lake at sunrise when priests perform morning rituals
Amber Palace Road Views
Photograph Amber Fort from the road and overlooking lake without paying entry fees
Jaipur Pink City Bazaars
Stroll through Johri Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, and Nehru Bazaar — free street photography paradise
Mehrangarh Fort Ramparts Views
View the fort and Blue City from the base roads without entry fee for exterior photography
Udaipur Sunset Point (Doodh Talai)
Free hilltop viewpoint overlooking Lake Pichola and the City Palace at sunset
Bagore Ki Haveli (Exterior)
Walk past the ornate exterior of this lakefront haveli in Udaipur for free
Bikaner Camel Breeding Farm
Government camel farm 10 km from Bikaner — free to visit, home to hundreds of camels
Shekhawati Village Walks
Walk through Mandawa or Nawalgarh villages and view painted havelis from the outside — many visible from streets