Which place is cheaper, Delhi 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 Delhi?
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 Delhi. 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 Delhi?
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.
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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 PricesDelhi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeh $43Delhi $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $43, while the average daily cost in Delhi is $49. 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 Delhi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $15Delhi $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $30Delhi $42
Compare Hotels in Leh and Delhi
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Delhi? 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 Delhi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $6.97Delhi $4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- From Jaipur: 2-Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with transfers: $278
- Ladakh Family Getaway: 6-Day Tour with Stay & Transfers: $428
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $361
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.11
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Taxi to Airport$1.70
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Subway$0.34
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Uber Cab$0.85
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.59
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Auto-rickshaw$1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- New Delhi Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $11
- Delhi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $11
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $15
- New Delhi Airport to Delhi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $16
- Delhi Airport to New Delhi Hotel Private Transfer: $17
- Private Half-Day Guided Shopping Tour with Transfer: $19
- Guided 3‑hour rickshaw ride through Old Delhi with transfers: $26
- Delhi to Mathura private transfer: $28
- Private transfer Delhi to Agra: $30
- Visits to Swaminarayan Akshardham with guide & transfers: $33
- Affordable transfer from Delhi to Rishikesh: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Delhi?
Prices for flights to both Delhi 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 $21Delhi $18
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Old Delhi Food Tour: 8 Tastings & Tuk-Tuk Ride with Local Expert: $17
- Customized Half Day and Full Day Delhi Shopping, Street Food Tour: $20
- Evening Food Tour: $29
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour – Explore Spices in Chandni Chowk: $30
- Chandni Chowk Delhi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- 4-Hour Old Delhi Evening Walking Tour with Local Dinner & Guide: $40
- Old Delhi Night Food Tour - Kitchens & Local Stories: $40
- The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food and Heritage Walk: $43
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $45
- Chandni Chowk Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market: $45
- Old Delhi Chandi Chowk Food Tour with Rickshaw Ride - 4-5 Hours: $50
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour With Spice Market On Tuk Tuk: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $13Delhi $18
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: $28
- Electric Cycle Tour with Leh Old Town Heritage Walk: $45
- Electric Cycle Tour with Heritage Walk & Meal: $51
- Leh in a Day: Guided Tour of Iconic Landmarks and more: $85
- "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $87
- Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace: $113
- 4-Day Tour to Leh Ladakh Pangong Lake and Monasteries: $199
- One Night Two Days Pangong Lake Tour with Accommodation: $203
- Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake 3-Day Tour: $259
- Ladakh Highlights Tour with Homestay: $271
- 6-Day Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Sham Valley Tour: $462
- LADAKH TOUR: $620
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$9.22
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Half-Day & Full Day Tour of New Delhi & Old Delhi: $4.50
- Private Four-Day Golden Triangle Tour with Taj Sunrise from Delhi: $4.88
- Old & New Delhi City Tour-Half Or Full Day with Options Available: $5.00
- Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Tour - From Delhi: $5.16
- 3-Day Golden Triangle Private Tour With Taj mahal & Luxury Hotels: $5.59
- Private Same day Jaipur Tour from New Delhi: $5.97
- Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour by Car from Delhi - All Inclusive: $6.00
- 7-Day Golden Triangle Tour with Ranthambore Tiger Safari: $6.13
- Jaipur Day Tour from Delhi – Private Car, Guide & All Inclusive: $7.60
- New Delhi and Old Delhi Private Tour 4-8 Hours - Customizable: $8.00
- Akshardham Temple Evening tour light and musical fountain show: $9.77
- Half Day Private New Delhi City Tour: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $4.94Delhi $7.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Delhi
Also in Delhi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $29
When comparing the travel costs between Leh and Delhi, we can see that Delhi 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 Leh Expensive? and Is Delhi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leh or Delhi?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Delhi, 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.