Fort
AtmosphereInside the walls.
Jaisalmer city guide
Things To Do In Jaisalmer
A golden sandstone fort rising from the Thar desert, still lived in by thousands, with carved havelis in the lanes below and nights under the stars on camel safari.
61
Hostels in the city
9.2
Average, from 4,199 reviews
1156
The fort founded
Thousands
Live inside the fort
Thar
The desert
The golden city
Jaisalmer grew rich as a caravan stop on the routes between India and Central Asia, and its merchants built havelis of honey-coloured sandstone carved like lace. The fort, founded in 1156, is one of the few living forts in the world, with thousands of people still living inside its walls. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town sits in the Thar desert, close to the Pakistani border, and it is the base for camel safaris into the dunes.
Two or three days is right, with a night in the desert.
Where to stay
Stay near the fort, or inside it for atmosphere.
Below the fort
First-timersNear the havelis.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 8 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer, the 'Golden City', rises from the Thar Desert near the Pakistan border, its twelfth-century sandstone fort glowing gold at sunset.
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the few 'living forts' in the world: around a quarter of the town's people still live inside its walls, among Jain temples, shops and guesthouses. Its foundations are under strain from water use, so many visitors choose to stay outside the fort to reduce the pressure.
The havelis, merchants' mansions, are covered in extraordinarily fine sandstone carving; Patwon ki Haveli, a cluster of five, is the most famous. Gadisar Lake, an old reservoir with temples and pavilions, is lovely at sunrise.
The classic Jaisalmer experience is a camel safari into the desert, with a night under the stars in a camp. The Sam dunes are busy and touristy; the Khuri dunes, and non-touristy desert camps further out, are quieter. Choose operators that treat their camels well.
Kuldhara, an abandoned village said to be cursed, is a short drive away.
Free things
Free things to do in Jaisalmer
Walking the fort's lanes is free, and so is Gadisar Lake at sunrise and the views of the fort from the town at sunset.
The havelis' facades are free to admire; going inside costs a small fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer's food is desert food: ker sangri, desert beans and berries, dal baati churma and gatte ki sabzi. Rooftop restaurants serve Rajasthani thalis with fort views.
A meal is €2 to €6.
Nightlife
Going out in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer's evenings are rooftop dinners with views of the lit fort, and in the desert, music around the camp fire.
A beer is €3 to €5.
Getting around
Getting around Jaisalmer
Trains reach Jodhpur in about five and a half hours and Jaipur and Delhi overnight. Jaisalmer Airport has limited flights.
The town is walkable; jeeps take you to the dunes, about an hour away.
Costs
What Jaisalmer costs
Jaisalmer is cheap. Dorms start around €5 and a careful day is €18 to €28.
An overnight camel safari with a desert camp is €20 to €50, depending on the operator. The fort museum and havelis charge a few euros each.
The currency is the rupee (INR), at roughly 95 to 100 rupees to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. UPI phone payments are everywhere, and some apps now accept foreign cards; carry cash for small shops, autos and markets.
Safety
Staying safe in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is safe. Choose camel safari operators carefully: agree what is included, and check the camels are well treated.
The desert is extremely hot from April to June, and cold at night in winter. Bring warm layers for the desert camps from November to February.
Women travellers often face staring and comments, and sometimes groping in crowds; dress conservatively, use women's carriages on metros and trains, and book cabs through apps. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and be wary of raw salads and ice; stomach upsets are common.
Most visitors need an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals flying in must also submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing; screenshot or download the QR code, as it cannot be retrieved later.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Jaisalmer
The Thar desert.
Sam dunes
The busier dunes.
Kuldhara
An abandoned village.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Desert Festival fills the town in February.
February
Desert Festival
Sam dunes and town
Camel races, music and dance.
October to March
Safari season
Thar desert
The best months.
Hostels
Where to stay in Jaisalmer
The top-rated places to stay in Jaisalmer right now, live from Hostelworld.
Jaisalmer Toffu Safari
Dorms from €0 a night
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Hostel Little Prince - On Fort
Dorms from €1 a night
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Chillout Guest House Jaisalmer
Dorms from €0 a night
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Jaisalmer Hostel Crowd
Dorms from €3 a night
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Wonbin Safari Hostel Jaisalmer
Dorms from €4 a night
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Open Road Hostel and Cafe - Jaisalmer
Dorms from €2 a night
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Moustache Hostel Jaisalmer
Dorms from €8 a night
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Fotiya Hotel
Dorms from €0 a night
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When to go
October to March. Summers are brutal.
Jan
Peak
Feb
Desert Festival
Mar
Warming
Apr
Hot
May
Extreme heat
Jun
Extreme heat
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Hot
Oct
Season opens
Nov
Excellent
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Desert nights are cold in winter.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes the camel safari.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Jaisalmer travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Should I stay inside the fort?
Many visitors stay outside to reduce strain on the fort's foundations.
Sam or Khuri dunes?
Khuri, or camps further out, for quiet; Sam is busy and touristy.
How do I choose a camel safari?
Agree what is included, and choose operators that treat camels well.
How do I get there?
By train from Jodhpur, about five and a half hours.
How many days do you need?
Two or three, with a desert night.
When is the best time to visit?
October to March.
Is it cold in the desert?
At night in winter, yes; bring warm layers.
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