A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Leh for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ao Nang or Leh?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ao Nang or Leh? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Leh?

Ao Nang

If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.

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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.


Which place is cheaper, Leh or Ao Nang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $136, while the average daily cost in Leh is $46. 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 Ao Nang and Leh in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ao Nang $52
    Leh $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ao Nang $104
    Leh $32
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Leh

Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang 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.

Hotels in Ao Nang


Hotels in Leh


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: Ao Nang Hotel Prices and Leh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ao Nang $64
    Leh $7.46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang

Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Krabi: Ao Nang To or From Phi Phi By Fast Speedboat Transfer: $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:

  • Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $361
  • Ladakh Family Getaway: 6-Day Tour with Stay & Transfers: $428
  • From Jaipur: 2-Day Ranthambore Tiger Safari with transfers: $278

Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Leh?

Prices for flights to both Leh and Ao Nang 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 day
    Ao Nang $49
    Leh $23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ao Nang $13
    Leh $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: $87
  • Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour: $28
  • LADAKH TOUR: $620
  • Leh in a Day: Guided Tour of Iconic Landmarks and more: $85
  • 4-Day Tour to Leh Ladakh Pangong Lake and Monasteries: $199
  • 6-Day Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Sham Valley Tour: $462
  • Electric Cycle Tour with Heritage Walk & Meal: $51
  • Electric Cycle Tour with Leh Old Town Heritage Walk: $45
  • Ladakh Highlights Tour with Homestay: $271
  • Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake 3-Day Tour: $259
  • One Night Two Days Pangong Lake Tour with Accommodation: $203
  • Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh With Thiksey & Shey Palace: $113

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ao Nang $17
    Leh $5.29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Leh, we can see that Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Leh Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Leh?

Leh has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang 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.