Which place is cheaper, Bikaner or Leh?
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 Leh or Bikaner?
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 Leh and Bikaner. 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: Leh or Bikaner?
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.
Bikaner
Bikaner is located in the Rajasthan state in northwest India. This city is where the headquarters of Bikaner District and Division are located. The city was founded in 1486 by Rao Bika, and has a population of about 645,000 people.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai.
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Leh Prices
India PricesBikaner Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeh $48Bikaner $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $48, while the average daily cost in Bikaner is $59. 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 Leh and Bikaner in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $17Bikaner $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $34Bikaner $40
Compare Hotels in Leh and Bikaner
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Bikaner? 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: Leh Hotel Prices and Bikaner Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $7.69Bikaner $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $375
- From Jaipur: 2-Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with transfers: $289
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bikaner
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bikaner:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bikaner
Also for Bikaner, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jodhpur: $48
- One-Way Transfer: Jaipur/Pushker/Jodhpur/Bikaner: $50
- Private Transfer From Bikaner To Jaisalmer: $60
- Self Guided Bikaner City Tour With One Way Transfer To Jaipur : $108
- Bikaner Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $136
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Bikaner?
Prices for flights to both Bikaner and Leh 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 dayLeh $23Bikaner $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Rajasthani Cooking Class in Bikaner: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $14Bikaner $14
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: $84
- Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour: $29
- LADAKH TOUR: $644
- 4-Day Tour to Leh Ladakh Pangong Lake and Monasteries: $207
- Electric Cycle Tour with Leh Old Town Heritage Walk: $47
- Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace: $117
- Udaipur Full or Half Day City Sightseeing Guided Tour: $5.55
Tours and Activities in Bikaner
For Bikaner, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Bikaner (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour) : $13
- Discover Bikaner in Nightlights (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Bikaner (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour) : $13
- Bikaner 2 Hour Guided Street Food Tasting Tour: $24
- Royal Trails of Bikaner (Guided Half Day City Tour): $72
- Highlights of Bikaner, Guided Half-Day Car Tour: $80
- Private Custom Tour: Bikaner Sightseeing with Guide: $86
- A Private Guided Tour in Bikaner: $115
- Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Bhandeshwari Jain Temple and Lunch: $118
- Horse Carriage (Tonga) Tour In The Old City Of Bikaner : $124
- Guided Sightseeing In Bikaner: $130
- Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Junagarh Fort & Temples and Lunch: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $5.45Bikaner $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Bikaner, we can see that Bikaner 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 Bikaner would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bikaner 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 Leh Expensive? and Is Bikaner Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leh or Bikaner?
Bikaner has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Bikaner, 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.