Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Leh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Leh or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto. 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Leh Prices
India PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeh $46Kyoto $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $46, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $118. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeh $16Kyoto $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeh $32Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Leh and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Leh or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leh $7.46Kyoto $7.82
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 Family Getaway: 6-Day Tour with Stay & Transfers: $428
- Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $361
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $83
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $108
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $115
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $132
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $155
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $226
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLeh $23Kyoto $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $55
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $61
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $75
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $75
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $76
- Japanese Cuisine Cooking Class in Kyoto: $76
- Kyoto Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class: $76
- Nishiki Market Walking Food Tour with Local guide: $83
- Private Japanese Home Cooking Class in Kyoto with Michiyo: $86
- Japanese 'Bento' cooking class in Kyoto: $89
- Experience 'IZAKAYA' food cooking class in Kyoto: $89
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leh $14Kyoto $13
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
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hidden Temples in Kyoto a Self-Guided Zen Tour: $3.57
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $7.99
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $8.35
- Kyoto Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
- Kyoto's Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: 3-Hour Guided Tour: $20
- Kyoto Fushimi Sake Night Tour -Monitor tour-: $21
- Private Walking Tour Kiyomizu Temple & Yasaka Shrine Monitor tour: $21
- Kyoto Running Tour with Locals: $21
- Nishiki Market Street Food and Sake Tour in Kyoto -Monitor tour-: $21
- simple kimono plan＆Gorgeous kimono experience: $21
- Sagano Romantic Train Ticket: $22
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeh $5.29Kyoto $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $42
- Kyoto Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $65
- Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit : $141
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Leh Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leh or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Kyoto, 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.