Which place is cheaper, Leh or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Leh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Leh. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Leh?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
-
Kanchanaburi Prices
Thailand PricesLeh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $56Leh $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $56, while the average daily cost in Leh is $43. 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 Kanchanaburi and Leh in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $21Leh $15
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $42Leh $30
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Leh
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Leh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $14Leh $6.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kanchanaburi River Kwai SUP Experience with Hotel Transfers: $40
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
- Private Bangkok Airport Transfer to/from Kanchanaburi: $117
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
- Private Erawan Falls & River Kwai with Transfer from Kanchanaburi: $278
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $361
- Ladakh Family Getaway: 6-Day Tour with Stay & Transfers: $428
- From Jaipur: 2-Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with transfers: $278
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Leh?
Prices for flights to both Leh and Kanchanaburi 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKanchanaburi $23Leh $21
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Casual Lunch$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $39
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $10Leh $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Entry Park TreeHouse$6.05
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovery Bike Tour: $18
- Scenic 9 km Kwai Noi River Kayaking Tour in Kanchanaburi: $21
- Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $24
- River Kwai Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi: $30
- Kanchanaburi 9 km Kwai Noi River Kayaking Tour: $31
- Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $44
- Fun Tree Top Zipline Adventure and Challenge in Kanchanaburi: $46
- WWII History Bike Tour in Kanchanaburi with Local Guide: $52
- Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $52
- Kanchanaburi Sunset Cycling Tour: $53
- Morning Bike Tour in Kanchanaburi with Lunch & Historical Stops: $55
- Kanchanaburi Countryside Cycling Adventure: $58
Tours and Activities in Leh
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:
- "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $87
- Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour: $28
- LADAKH TOUR: $620
- Leh in a Day: Guided Tour of Iconic Landmarks and more: $85
- 4-Day Tour to Leh Ladakh Pangong Lake and Monasteries: $199
- 6-Day Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Sham Valley Tour: $462
- Electric Cycle Tour with Heritage Walk & Meal: $51
- Electric Cycle Tour with Leh Old Town Heritage Walk: $45
- Ladakh Highlights Tour with Homestay: $271
- Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake 3-Day Tour: $259
- One Night Two Days Pangong Lake Tour with Accommodation: $203
- Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace: $113
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $8.90Leh $4.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Leh, we can see that Kanchanaburi is more expensive. And not only is Leh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kanchanaburi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Leh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Leh?
Kanchanaburi has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi 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.