Is Leh expensive to visit?
Leh is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
You may find Leh to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $21 (₨1,769) per day, mid-range travelers spend $47 (₨4,080) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $96 (₨8,305) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Leh.
Within Asia, Leh is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Mandalay, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Similan Islands.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Leh Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Leh?
The average Leh trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Leh travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Leh cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Leh is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $21 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Luckily, Leh has plenty of hostels, including Tsetan Guest House, Woosah Hostel, and Ree Hostel. Here, you can enjoy budget dorm accommodation along with a friendly, social vibe, but amenities are quite limited.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Most visitors to Leh will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $47 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $96 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the destination with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Leh
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Leh can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Leh in the off-season is $71, but in the peak travel season it will average around $132. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Leh to range from $35 to $330. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Leh for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $33 (₨2,820). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $16 (₨1,410) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Leh? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Leh include:
- Ladakh Residency starting at $85
- Hotel Royal Ladakh starting at $49
- Hotel Lotus Leh starting at $39
- Hotel Lasermo starting at $78
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Leh
Unfortunately, Leh does not have a reliable public transit network.
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $7.58 (₨657) per person, per day, on local transportation in Leh. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Leh is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$7.58
₨657
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers for $369 details
How much does it cost to go to Leh? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Leh will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Leh
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Leh can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Leh is $23 (₨1,984) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$23
₨1,984
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Leh is around $23 (₨1984) per person, with previous travelers spending from $10 to $51. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Leh are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $7
- Lunch: $3 to $9
- Dinner: $7 to $16
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $3
Cuisine in and around Leh consists largely of chicken and mutton with vegetable which include pumpkins, potatoes, beans, and beetroots. Some staple meals of the region include thukpa (noodle soup usually with chicken and vegetables), skyu (thumb-sized pieces of kneaded dough cooked in a kind of soup), and momos (dumplings). Other specialties comprise of khambir (a whole wheat local bread baked into a pan shape), butter tea (salty tea churned with butter), and chang (a light local brew of beer). These dishes are common throughout the mountainous regions of the Himalayas. The shopping areas of the old town in Leh and the area around the bus station are good for Tibetan styled restaurants, although few offer more than thukpa (noodle soup) and momos (dumplings).
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Leh
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Leh typically cost an average of $14 (₨1,200) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$14
₨1,200
The former Palace of the King of Ladakh is the most noticeable building in Leh, first built in the 17th century modeled after the Dalai Lama's former home (at Tibet's Potala Palace). The views of the outside are impressive, while the inside is a maze of corridors fun for exploring. Most of the palace is empty except for the Buddhist prayer room at its center which is furnished.
As far as temples go, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa was built in 1430 and sits above the Palace, while Karma Dupgyud Choeling is a monastery in the Karma Kagyu tradition. Just around the corner from the main Bazaar is Soma Gompa, which also serves as the location of the Ladakhi Buddhist Association, a conservative political organization with ties to Hindutva groups.
Lying on the Indo-China border there is also a stunning high-altitude lake called Pangong Tso, surrounded by mountain scenery. The drive is about 5 hours from Leh, so an overnight is recommended.
Other attractions include the Shanti Stupa, Nubra Valley, a War Museum, and a Donkey Sanctuary. Within the Nubra Valley visitors will find spectacular mountain scenery as well as a desert with sand dunes around the towns of Diskit and Hunder. Lying on the old silk route from South to Central Asia, the valley is also a piece of history.
Leh is a popular home base for trekking, with a number of possible routes through the mountainous region of Ladakh. White water rafting on the Zaskar and Indus rivers is also common and can be organized from Leh. With beautiful scenery just about everywhere, many visitors enjoy camping at places like Pangong Lake and on the sand dunes of Nubra Valley. Cycling tours and safaris can also be arranged, as well as unique activities like a carpet or pashmina workshop. During the summer, polo is also popular in Leh, as is archery (though mostly during festivals when competitions are held).
A nice way to explore destinations in Leh is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders for $82 details
- Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace for $115 details
- Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour for $29 details