Which place is cheaper, Leh or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Leh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Leh, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Leh?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Leh
Leh is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. Today, the town is best known for its Buddhist sites and nearby trekking areas. It is situated in northern India, amidst the mountainous Himalayan range.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesLeh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Leh $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Leh is $48. 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 Aqaba and Leh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Leh $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Leh $34
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Leh
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Leh? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Leh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Leh $7.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfers Aqaba to Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman & vice versa: $47
- Aqaba : Private Transfer From the Airport or your Hotel: $59
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $59
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Aqaba Airport AQJ Private Transfer to Multi Destinations: $65
- Aqaba:Water Park Entry Ticket with Meal & transfer for 1 way: $66
- Private Beach, Pools, Snorkeling & Boat Trip,Transfer: $66
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $378
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Leh?
Prices for flights to both Leh and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Leh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $70
- Wadi Rum 4-Hour Sunset Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $79
- Bedouin Cooking Class, full day Desert Tour & overnight Wadi Rum: $86
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $100
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Leh $14
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
- Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Guided Small Group Jeep-Tour in Wadi Rum w/ Optional Overnight: $30
- Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour: $33
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Discover Aqaba in Style: A 3-h City Tour by Car with meal: $37
- Private Beach Experience with Free Shuttle Service: $37
- Jeep Tours in Wadi Rum with Bedouin Guide 2,3,4,5 hours | Magic Bedouin Star: $38
- Private Red Sea Diving for Beginner or Experienced: $40
Tours and Activities in Leh
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:
- Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour: $30
- "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $84
- Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace: $112
- Nubra Valley 2-Day Tour with Khardung-La Pass: $142
- Chadar Trek Frozen River Trekking Tour: $311
- Leh Ladakh Tour 3N 4Day with "Airport pick up and Drop off": $360
- LADAKH TOUR: $650
- From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Leh $5.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Leh, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Leh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Leh is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Leh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leh and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Leh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Leh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Leh?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Leh, 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.