Which place is cheaper, Leh or Varanasi?
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 Varanasi or Leh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Leh can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Varanasi or Leh?
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesLeh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $35Leh $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $35, while the average daily cost in Leh is $48. 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 Varanasi and Leh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $16Leh $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $32Leh $34
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Leh
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Leh? 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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Leh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.84Leh $7.70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.94
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Rickshaw Ride$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $12
- Varanasi Airport: Transfer to/from Varanasi Hotels & Airport: $12
- Private Transfer Varanasi Airport (VNS) To Varanasi Hotels Drop: $12
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport to hotel private transfer: $18
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer: $45
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $59
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $375
- From Jaipur: 2-Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with transfers: $289
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Leh?
Prices for flights to both Leh and Varanasi 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 dayVaranasi $12Leh $23
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$4.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $15
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $17
- Varanasi Food Tour with Monu: $22
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $24
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Indu and Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Yoga, Ayurveda, and Cooking Class with Boat Ride: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Evening Dinner with Private Transfer: $46
- Musical Tour with Street Food Tour of Banaras: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $10Leh $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.82
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour with research Scholar, IITF LICENSE GUIDE: $2.34
- Audio Guided Walking Tour of Banaras Ghats, Varanasi: $6.12
- Varanasi city lanes walking tour: $7.03
- Varanasi's Spiritual & heritage walking tour: $11
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $12
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Private Customizable Walking Tour with Local Guide: $12
- Mysticism of Varanasi with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Walking Tour): $13
- Varanasi Instagram Photo Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Varanasi (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Cycle of Life, Death, and Rebirth Guided Tour: $14
Tours and Activities in Leh
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:
- "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $84
- Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour: $29
- LADAKH TOUR: $644
- 4-Day Tour to Leh Ladakh Pangong Lake and Monasteries: $207
- Electric Cycle Tour with Leh Old Town Heritage Walk: $47
- Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace: $117
- Udaipur Full or Half Day City Sightseeing Guided Tour: $5.55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $7.69Leh $5.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Leh, we can see that Leh is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Leh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leh than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Leh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Leh?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Leh, 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.