Is Jaisalmer safe?
Safe for most visitors. Commission touts and overpriced camel tours are the main annoyance; heat and desert isolation are the bigger risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate in India: 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in India: 15.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Jaisalmer at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft, overcharging, and pushy touts at the station and bus stand; rare incidents on remote camel safaris. |
| At night | Quiet and safe in the fort and old town; city streets empty after 10 pm. Desert camps are cold and basic. |
| Solo women | Generally safe, with persistent touts. Use reputable camps and operators, dress modestly and avoid isolated dunes alone. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat Apr–Jun; Freezing nights Dec–Jan; Sandstorms and dehydration in the desert |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Touts at the station steering you to guesthouses for commission
- Camel safaris advertised cheap, then adding fees or cutting the route
- Taxis quoting inflated prices to Sam dunes
Take care
- Desert camps with unknown operators: check reviews and bring water
- Isolated dunes after dark: very cold and remote
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
How Jaisalmer compares in India
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kochi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kolkata | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dharamshala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chennai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varkala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hampi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amritsar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jaisalmer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pushkar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palolem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Munnar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alleppey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shimla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Delhi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Goa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mumbai | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Agra | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Varanasi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bangalore | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Udaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Anjuna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Jaisalmer safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe, with persistent touts. Use reputable camps and operators, dress modestly and avoid isolated dunes alone.
Is Jaisalmer safe at night?
Quiet and safe in the fort and old town; city streets empty after 10 pm. Desert camps are cold and basic.
What is the crime rate in Jaisalmer?
Petty theft, overcharging, and pushy touts at the station and bus stand; rare incidents on remote camel safaris. Nationally, India records 2.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Jaisalmer?
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
More about Jaisalmer
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Rajasthan Tourism
- Indian Railways (IRCTC)
- Jaisalmer District Administration
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.