Which place is cheaper, Leh or Karachi?
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 Karachi or Leh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi 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: Karachi or Leh?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Karachi Prices
Pakistan PricesLeh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $33Leh $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $33, 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 Karachi and Leh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $10Leh $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $20Leh $32
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Leh
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Leh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.48Leh $7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karachi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Karachi:
- Karachi Pick up and Dropoff Transfer : $50
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: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $361
- Ladakh Family Getaway: 6-Day Tour with Stay & Transfers: $428
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Leh?
Prices for flights to both Leh and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $19Leh $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $215
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $4.95Leh $14
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Full Day Karachi to Thatta Unesco Sites Tour: $92
- Full Day Karachi Private City Tour: $120
- Full Day Private City Tour of Karachi: $120
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Day Tour in Karachi Unesco Heritage: $150
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Heritage Express: Thatta UNESCO Tour: $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private City Tour.: $199
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $300
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.27Leh $5.29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Leh, we can see that Leh is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Leh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Leh?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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.