Which place is cheaper, Himachal Pradesh or Leh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Leh or Himachal Pradesh?
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 Himachal Pradesh. 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 Himachal Pradesh?
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.
Himachal Pradesh
With a name that translates to "abode of snow," Himachal Pradesh is a state in north-western India with opportunities for experiencing the Himalaya mountain range. Visitors come to the region to experience the mountain scenery, engage in Tibetan culture, and learn about the region's ancient past.
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.
-
Leh Prices
India PricesHimachal Pradesh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeh $46Himachal Pradesh $502
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $46, while the average daily cost in Himachal Pradesh is $502. 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 Himachal Pradesh in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $16Himachal Pradesh $196
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $32Himachal Pradesh $392
Compare Hotels in Leh and Himachal Pradesh
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Himachal Pradesh? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $7.46Himachal Pradesh $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- From Jaipur: 2-Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with transfers: $281
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Himachal Pradesh
Also for Himachal Pradesh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable Dehradun Airport Transfer.: $15
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Dehradun Airport: $20
- Affordable Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh: $20
- Private Transfer from Dehradun Airport to Rishikesh: $35
- Affordable transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $39
- Private Transfer from Dehradun to Delhi: $44
- Private Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi: $45
- Private Transfer from Mussoorie to Delhi: $50
- Private Transfer from Nainital to Delhi: $59
- Chandigarh Airport (IXC) to Manali Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $62
- Affordable Chandigarh to Manali Transfer: $98
- Chandigarh Airport IXC to Manali Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Himachal Pradesh?
Prices for flights to both Himachal Pradesh 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 dayLeh $23Himachal Pradesh $225
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Simple Sattvic Cooking Classes in Rishikesh - Cook & Eat ! : $50
- South Indian Cooking Class in Rishikesh: Cook & Eat !: $55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $14Himachal Pradesh $108
Tours and Activities in Leh
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:
- Udaipur Full or Half Day City Sightseeing Guided Tour: $5.68
Tours and Activities in Himachal Pradesh
For Himachal Pradesh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tea Top Adventure Activities: $5.81
- Sightseeing around Mussoorie: $7.67
- Discover Colonial Trails of Shimla 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Ashram Tour By Walk in Rishikesh (Private Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural 2 Hour Shimla Walking Tour : $12
- The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Nature Walk of Chandigarh( 2 Hours Walking Tour): $12
- Nainital Walking Tour: $12
- Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour Nainital (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Guided Night Walking Tour in Rishikesh - Explore the best nightlife with a local: $13
- Chandigarh Walking Tour : $13
- Rishikesh Walking Tour : $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $5.29Himachal Pradesh $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Himachal Pradesh, we can see that Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Himachal Pradesh 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 Himachal Pradesh Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Leh or Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Himachal Pradesh, 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.