Which place is cheaper, Hanoi or Leh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Leh and Hanoi. 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.
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.
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
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 Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.
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 Hanoi 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Hanoi? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Hanoi, we can see that Hanoi 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 Hanoi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hanoi 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 Hanoi Expensive?.
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Hanoi, 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.