A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanchanaburi vs. Leh for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Leh or Kanchanaburi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Leh is $39. 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 person
    Kanchanaburi $19
    Leh $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kanchanaburi $38
    Leh $34
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.

Hotels in Kanchanaburi


Hotels in Leh


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 $12
    Leh $7.86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi

Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
  • Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116
  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:

  • Leh Airport Transfer: $33

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 day
    Kanchanaburi $12
    Leh $14
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi

For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch
    $4.09

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: $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $9.10
    Leh $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Entry Park TreeHouse
    $5.46

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: $16
  • Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
  • E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
  • Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84
  • Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
  • Private Tour: Trekking Kanchanaburi Forest to Tham Than Lod: $108
  • Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
  • Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
  • Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
  • Private Tour: Kanchanaburi Local Thai Life and City Discovery: $139
  • Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Private Tour: $144
  • Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149

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: $80
  • From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507
  • LADAKH TOUR: $659
  • Leh-Ladakh Sameday Tour/ Capture the Majesty in Just One Day: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kanchanaburi $8.03
    Leh $5.57


When comparing the travel costs between Kanchanaburi and Leh, we can see that Kanchanaburi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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.