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

Should you visit Leh or Hangzhou?

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 Hangzhou. 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 Hangzhou?

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.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.

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 Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Leh?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $39, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $65. 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 Hangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leh $17
    Hangzhou $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leh $34
    Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Leh and Hangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Leh or Hangzhou? 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 Hangzhou


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leh $7.86
    Hangzhou $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:

  • Leh Airport Transfer: $33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
  • Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
  • Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
  • Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
  • Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer to City Hotels or Railway Station: $41
  • Hangzhou to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $45
  • Hangzhou to Suzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Hangzhou Train Station Transfer: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Hangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Hangzhou 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 $14
    Hangzhou $18

Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.35
  • Pizza Hut Lunch
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.

  • All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
  • Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
  • Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leh $14
    Hangzhou $20

Tours and Activities in Leh

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

  • Leh-Ladakh Sameday Tour/ Capture the Majesty in Just One Day: $53
  • "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $80
  • LADAKH TOUR: $659
  • From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507

Tours and Activities in Hangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $28
  • Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
  • Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
  • Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
  • Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $69
  • Hangzhou West Lake Highlights Half Day Tour : $85
  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
  • Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
  • One-day Hangzhou Lakeside Mountains Relics & Ruins Hiking – Guided Outdoor Tour : $90
  • Hangzhou Private Amazing English Tour Guide Service: $90
  • Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leh $5.57
    Hangzhou $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Leh or Hangzhou?

Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Hangzhou, 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.