Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Leh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leh or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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 Kolkata (Calcutta). 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeh $39Kolkata (Calcutta) $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $39, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $17Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $34Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Leh and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $7.86Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- Leh Airport Transfer: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $14Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Dinner Cruise on Ganges Kolkata 3Hrs: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $14Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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: $660
- From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Colonial Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Walk Through Tales ( Heritage Tour ) : $37
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
- Magic Hour Tour: $37
- Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
- Heritage sightseeing tours(Walking tours): $41
- Indian Museum Guided Tour (Including surrounding area): $43
- Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
- Kolkata Daily - A Private Tour - Explore • Engage • Enchant: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $5.57Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Leh and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Leh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leh Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leh or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.