Which place is cheaper, Leh or Srinagar?
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 Srinagar or Leh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Srinagar or Leh, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Srinagar or Leh?
Srinagar
Lying on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is best known for its gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats as well as local traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.
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 Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
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Srinagar Prices
India PricesLeh Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySrinagar $28Leh $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Srinagar is $28, 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 Srinagar and Leh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSrinagar $14Leh $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSrinagar $28Leh $32
Compare Hotels in Srinagar and Leh
Looking for a hotel in Srinagar 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: Srinagar Hotel Prices and Leh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Srinagar $2.43Leh $7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Srinagar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Srinagar:
- Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service: $15
- Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg: $35
- Innova To and Fro Pvt. Airport Transfer from Srinagar / Dal Lake: $52
- Private Transfer from Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport to Srinagar: $75
- Private Transfer from Srinagar to Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) Airport: $75
- Srinagar To Leh, Ladakh Taxi (One way Transfer): $231
- Srinagar- transfers+Hotel+Sightseeing: $238
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Srinagar or Leh?
Prices for flights to both Leh and Srinagar 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 daySrinagar $8.49Leh $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Srinagar $9.73Leh $14
Tours and Activities in Srinagar
Here are a few actual costs in Srinagar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- One Day Immersive Pottery Experience: $28
- Srinagar Splendors: A Private City Tour: $64
- Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar: $69
- Private Custom Tour: Gulmarg local Sightseeing with guide: $84
- Private Custom Tour: Pahalgam sightseeing with guide: $84
- Private Custom Excursion Tour to Pahalgam from Srinagar with Guide: $104
- Full day private tour of Srinagar for Kashmir experience : $135
- Private Guided Tour of Gulmarg from Srinagar: $140
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee & Guide: $154
- Full day tour of Srinagar with Entrance Fee, Guide, Shikara ride & Lunch: $195
- 3 Days Kashmir Houseboat Tour in Srinagar: $266
- Kashmir 7-Day Romantic Honeymoon Tour: $289
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 daySrinagar $2.43Leh $5.29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Srinagar and Leh, we can see that Leh is more expensive. And not only is Srinagar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Srinagar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Srinagar 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 Srinagar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Srinagar Expensive? and Is Leh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Srinagar or Leh?
Srinagar has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Leh. When comparing the sizes of Srinagar 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.