A Travel Price Comparison for India Leh vs. Dharamsala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Leh or Dharamsala?

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 Dharamsala. 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 Dharamsala?

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.

Dharamsala

With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Leh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $46, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala 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 Leh and Dharamsala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leh $16
    Dharamsala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leh $32
    Dharamsala $44
Compare Hotels in Leh and Dharamsala

Looking for a hotel in Leh or Dharamsala? 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 Leh


Hotels in Dharamsala


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 Dharamsala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leh $7.46
    Dharamsala $4.86

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: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $361
  • Ladakh Family Getaway: 6-Day Tour with Stay & Transfers: $428

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:

  • Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Dharamsala?

Prices for flights to both Dharamsala 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Leh $23
    Dharamsala $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leh $14
    Dharamsala $5.27

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

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dharamsala are as follows:

  • The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14
  • McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $19
  • Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
  • Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
  • Guided Cycling tour in Dharamshala: $28
  • Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $39
  • Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $39
  • Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $63
  • Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $88
  • Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $97
  • Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $107

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leh $5.29
    Dharamsala $5.27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Dharamsala, we can see that Leh is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Leh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leh than you might in Dharamsala.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leh Expensive? and Is Dharamsala Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Leh or Dharamsala?

Leh has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Dharamsala, 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.