Which place is cheaper, Kerala 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 Kerala?
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 Kerala. 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 Kerala?
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.
Kerala
Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.
This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.
Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.
The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.
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 PricesKerala Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeh $43Kerala $464
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $43, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $464. 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 Kerala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $15Kerala $256
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $30Kerala $512
Compare Hotels in Leh and Kerala
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Kerala? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $6.97Kerala $37
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Kochi: Kathakali, Theyyam & Kalaripayattu Show with Transfers: $11
- Kochi Taxi Service and Airport Transfers: $11
- Affordable Trivandrum Airport Transfer: $15
- Theyyam and Kalaripayattu Show in Kochi with Transfer: $17
- Kochi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $18
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Fort Kochi/City Hotels: $20
- Cochin - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $25
- Private Trivandrum Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35
- Private Transfer: Trivandrum Airport (TRV) to Kovalam Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum City to Trivandrum (TRV) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Kerala?
Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 $21Kerala $165
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.
- Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
- Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $20
- Private candle light dinner: $20
- WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
- Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $35
- Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
- Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $54
- Private Traditional Home Cooking Class in Kochi with Archana: $70
- Group Kerala Cooking Demo & Home Dining Experience in Kochi: $75
- Authentic Kerala Syrian Christian Cooking Class in a Cochin Home: $79
- Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
- Kochi Over View: Kathakali, Dinner, Pick & Drop Included Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $13Kerala $78
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 Kerala
Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5 Days Luxury Kerala Tour with Houseboat Experience Private Tour: $4.34
- Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $6.95
- Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $9.00
- Half-Day Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Fort Kochi: $9.32
- Shikara Boat Tour Alleppey Backwater Fantastic Boat Cruise: $9.50
- Fort Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $9.77
- Authentic Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour of Kochi with Local Guide: $9.77
- Medium Hard Trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $9.78
- Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour: $11
- Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Trivandrum 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Kochi Tuk-Tuk Private Tours with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $4.94Kerala $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Kerala, we can see that Kerala 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 Kerala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kerala 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 Kerala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Leh or Kerala?
Kerala has a larger population, and is about 850 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Kerala, 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.