Let us look at some of the most common questions asked on my blog about making a trip to Ladakh by public transport and the budget of a Ladakh trip. I started this five-article series of Leh Ladakh FAQs to answer all your questions about planning a successful trip to Ladakh.
Over the years, I have received thousands of comments and messages asking the same set of questions about buses, shared taxis, and costs. Instead of repeating the same answers again and again in the comments section, I compiled everything here so you can find what you need in one place.
I also keep updating this Leh Ladakh FAQ series with new questions in case I have missed answering any, and also keep my answers fresh with updated information about preparing for a trip to Ladakh. Last Updated: February 2026.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
How Does Public Transport Work in Ladakh?
Ladakh is well connected by a network of government buses, shared taxis, and private tempo travelers. JKSRTC (now operating under UT Ladakh administration) runs regular services from Leh to key destinations like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri. You can also rely on HRTC buses on the Manali side. This section answers all your questions about making a budget-friendly trip to Ladakh by public transport.
Q1. Is it possible to make a trip to Ladakh by public transport?
The short answer is yes, you can make a trip to Ladakh by public transport. A lot will depend upon the itinerary and the number of days you have in hand. You will surely have to compromise on certain aspects like sightseeing on the way from one place to another. The plan you follow must be flexible enough to change itself based on the availability of public transport.
Leh is well connected by public transport buses with both Manali and Srinagar. And both Srinagar and Manali are very well connected to Delhi and Chandigarh. So, you can travel by transport buses (HRTC, JKSRTC) from Delhi to Jammu to Srinagar to Leh, or Delhi to Manali to Leh.
Once you reach Leh, other tourist places within Ladakh like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri are connected by various buses or other public transport. Keep in mind that the frequency of public transport buses, especially from Leh to Pangong Tso or Leh to Tso Moriri, may not be that great. Nubra Valley, on the other hand, is very well connected to Leh by many buses within the week.
Apart from public buses that ply within Ladakh, you can also rely on local and tourist shared taxis or jeeps that run between many places within Ladakh. There are lots of flyers that people put at cafes, restaurants, and travel agent desks wanting to share taxis for different trips within Ladakh. This is especially common in the Changspa Road area and Leh Main Bazaar.
Even travel agents organize such shared taxi trips but charge a little higher, about Rs 200-500 more than it would ideally cost when you share with other tourists. So, in the worst case, you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself.
If you plan your budget Leh Ladakh trip by public transport properly, you can make your 12-14 day Ladakh tour covering Srinagar Leh Highway, Manali Leh Highway, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri within a budget of Rs 18,000 to Rs 22,000 (as of 2026, factoring in updated bus fares, accommodation, and food costs).
Q2. Is there any Jammu to Leh bus service?
There is no direct bus from Jammu to Leh. You will have to reach Srinagar first from Jammu, and then from Srinagar, you will get plenty of options to travel to Leh.
The bus from Jammu to Srinagar leaves at 7 AM from the JKSRTC counter, which is located just beside the TRC, Residency Road. This bus is a ten-seater non-AC minibus, which they call super luxury coaches.
The bus from Srinagar also leaves at 7 AM for Jammu just beside the TRC. It is better to reach at 6:30 AM at the ticket counter and get the tickets. At Srinagar, sometimes advance booking one night before is not done. However, at Jammu they mostly accept advance booking one night before.
The Jammu to Srinagar bus takes about 10-11 hours to reach depending upon the traffic situation and any roadblocks on the way.
The super deluxe (MCV) bus fare for Jammu to Srinagar bus service is Rs 445 per person, the deluxe bus service costs Rs 321, and standard JKSRTC bus from Jammu to Srinagar costs Rs 213. These fares are as of the 2025 JKSRTC rate list, so verify locally for the latest rates.
If you are traveling by bus from Jammu to Srinagar and want to spend the previous night in Jammu, I will suggest that you stay at the hotels near Residency Road. The auto-rickshaws will take about Rs 100-150 to take you to the TRC or JKSRTC counter in the morning.
Q3. Is there any Srinagar to Leh bus service?
There are quite a few bus services available on the Srinagar to Leh route. You have the option of traveling to Leh from Srinagar by JKSRTC buses as well as private bus tour operators who also run buses between Srinagar and Leh. The private bus tour operator buses are mostly in the form of tempo travelers or semi-deluxe mini-buses with cushion seats.
The Srinagar to Leh bus service is available at TRC near Dal Lake in Srinagar. The bus from Srinagar to Leh starts at 8 AM, halts at Kargil for one night, and then reaches Leh the next day from Kargil by evening.
The MCV luxury bus from Srinagar to Leh charges around Rs 1,300 per person, the deluxe bus fare is Rs 900-1,050 per person, and semi-deluxe bus fare is Rs 650-700 per person from Srinagar to Leh. If you prefer to travel by a standard bus from Srinagar to Leh, the bus fare is around Rs 450-470.
If you plan to split the journey between Srinagar to Leh at Kargil, you can also take a standard bus from Srinagar to Kargil and then take the Kargil to Leh bus in the morning. The standard bus fare from Srinagar to Kargil is around Rs 250-300 and Rs 325-400 for a semi-deluxe bus. Similarly, the bus fare from Kargil to Leh is around Rs 350-400.
The bus from Leh to Srinagar starts at 2 PM, runs non-stop at night, and arrives at 7:30 AM in Srinagar. The MCV luxury bus fare for Leh to Srinagar is about Rs 1,300 per person, the deluxe bus charges Rs 919 per person, and the semi-deluxe JKSRTC buses charge around Rs 737 per person.
The private bus operators that run Leh to Srinagar bus services charge about Rs 1,000-1,500 per person based on the type of bus or tempo traveler you opt for.
These privately run tempo travelers and mini-buses start from Leh town every day around 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM, run non-stop overnight, and reach Srinagar the next day in the morning around 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM. Mini-buses are the best option as you get an individual cushion seat and some level of comfort to sleep at night.
For those of you who are interested, there is no Volvo bus service from Srinagar to Leh. So, an MCV luxury bus from JKSRTC is what you get as the best bus to travel from Srinagar to Leh.
Please note that the bus timing between the Srinagar to Leh route is also dependent on the timings of Zojila pass in the early season. The roads are narrow at Zojila Pass in the months of May, so the army allows one-way traffic to ply between Kargil and Sonamarg. Once the Zojila Tunnel is fully operational (expected completion around 2028), this seasonal restriction will ease considerably.
Q4. Is there any Manali to Leh bus service?
On Manali Leh Highway, both HRTC and HPTDC run their bus services. While the HRTC offers the standard buses of the state transport department for the general public, the HPTDC offers a semi-deluxe minibus service especially for tourists traveling on Manali Leh Highway.
Being a tourist bus, the HPTDC bus will stop at all tourist spots and mountain passes that come on the way from Manali to Leh. This bus service is run by the HP Tourism department every year, typically starting from 1st July to 15th September.
However, the ordinary HRTC bus will not stop for any sightseeing and will run straight from Manali to Leh. The HRTC buses do stop for mandatory food and daily routine stops though.
HPTDC Bus Service from Manali to Leh to Manali
The HPTDC bus covers the journey of Manali Leh Highway in two days with an overnight halt at Keylong in Hotel Chandrabhaga. The HPTDC bus leaves from Manali at 10:00 to 11:00 AM based on the published schedule of the season (available at the official HPTDC website) and reaches Keylong by the evening around 2:00 to 3:00 PM via the Atal Tunnel. The bus then halts overnight at Keylong. The next morning, the bus leaves Keylong to Leh around 4:00 to 5:00 AM and reaches Leh by 7:00 PM.
The bus from Manali starts at the HRTC bus stand in Manali and drops the tourists at the bus stand in Leh.
Similarly, this HPTDC Leh to Manali bus service runs in the opposite direction. The bus will start from Leh at 5:00 AM in the morning and reach Keylong by evening. It will take an overnight halt at Keylong. Then the bus leaves at 7:00 AM from Keylong and reaches Manali around 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM via the Atal Tunnel.
HPTDC publishes the Manali to Leh bus schedule on its official website every year in May before the season begins. Hence, I recommend that you always check this schedule before planning your trip dates.
The total one-way fare of the HPTDC bus service is Rs 2,900, which includes dormitory accommodation, dinner, and breakfast at HPTDC Hotel Chandrabhaga in Keylong. Hence, the total cost of traveling from Manali to Leh by bus and back to Manali from Leh using HPTDC semi-deluxe bus service is Rs 5,800 per person including night stay and meals at Keylong. This fare has been stable for several seasons now, though a revision is possible. Check the HPTDC website for the latest published fare.
The bookings of the HPTDC semi-deluxe bus from Manali to Leh to Manali can be done online using the official HPTDC website.
HRTC Bus Service from Manali to Leh
HRTC runs bus services from Manali to Leh. The daily direct bus service from Manali to Leh takes about 13-14 hours to reach Leh via the Atal Tunnel route. This direct bus from Manali to Leh is available daily from the HRTC bus stand in Manali during the season (typically mid-June to mid-September).
This daily HRTC direct bus leaves from Manali at 4:00 AM in the morning and reaches Leh around 5:00 to 6:00 PM via the Atal Tunnel. The journey time has reduced considerably since the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, bypassing Rohtang Pass entirely.
The one-way fare of this direct bus service from Manali to Leh is approximately Rs 900 to Rs 1,000 (verify from the HRTC website for the latest season fare).
The other option to travel from Manali to Leh by bus is to take the HRTC bus from Manali to Keylong first, stay overnight at Keylong, and then the next morning take the daily bus from Keylong to Leh.
The daily bus from Manali to Keylong leaves at 8:00 AM and reaches Keylong by 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM via the Atal Tunnel. And the daily HRTC bus from Keylong leaves at 5:00 AM and reaches Leh by late evening.
The bus fare from Manali to Keylong is about Rs 150-175 while the bus fare from Keylong to Leh is around Rs 500-550.
The bookings of HRTC buses from Manali to Leh or Manali to Keylong can be made online using the HRTC official website. However, the bookings for Keylong to Leh bus service by HRTC cannot be made online. One must buy the tickets at the Keylong HRTC bus stand.
Hence, using the regular HRTC bus service for the Manali to Leh to Manali trip, the return bus fare will be around Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000. If you decide to make a two-day trip from Manali to Leh by sleeping overnight at Keylong, then you have to account for a couple of meals and hotel stay at Keylong. I always recommend spending a night at Jispa or Keylong rather than pushing through to Leh in a single day, as it helps with acclimatization.
Q5. Is there any Delhi to Leh bus service?
There is a direct Delhi to Leh bus service by HRTC that runs from ISBT Kashmere Gate, New Delhi. This bus from Delhi to Leh covers a total distance of about 990 km via the Atal Tunnel route in about 30-33 hours. The bus stops overnight at Keylong and covers the Delhi to Leh journey in 2 days.
The bus starts from Delhi at 12:10 PM and reaches Chandigarh Sec 43 bus stand around 6:10 PM. From Chandigarh, the bus continues to Manali, reaching around 2:30 AM. It then passes through the Atal Tunnel to reach Keylong by early morning for the overnight stay. The next morning, the bus leaves Keylong around 5:00 AM and reaches Leh by 8:00 PM.
In the opposite direction, the HRTC bus starts from Leh at 5 AM and reaches Keylong by sunset for an overnight stay. The next morning, it starts from Keylong at 6:30 AM to reach Delhi by late night via the Atal Tunnel route.
There might be a change in the bus at Keylong, and the bus driver changes twice, once at Sundernagar and another at Keylong.
The total bus fare for Delhi to Leh direct bus service is approximately Rs 1,826 (as of 2025 season). Hence, a return journey in this direct HRTC bus service from Delhi to Leh and Leh to Delhi will cost you around Rs 3,650.
You can book the tickets for this direct bus from Delhi to Leh at the HRTC ticket counter at Delhi, Kashmere Gate ISBT terminal. Online booking is mostly not available for this route, so you will have to purchase tickets from the counter at Delhi or Leh bus stand. Book a day in advance if possible.
This Delhi to Leh HRTC bus runs over the ultra-scenic Manali Leh Highway. But, unlike the HPTDC bus, the HRTC Delhi to Leh bus does not stop at tourist locations. The bus covers the journey passing over high altitude passes like Baralacha La, Nakee La, Lachulung La, and Taglang La. The Rohtang Pass is no longer on the route since all buses now use the Atal Tunnel.
The bus does stop at various dhabas on the route for tea and snacks. These stops allow you as a tourist to enjoy the beauty of Manali Leh Highway and take pictures on the way.
Q6. Is there any Leh to Nubra Valley bus service?
Nubra Valley is fairly well connected to Leh by public transport. Multiple buses travel from Leh to different parts of Nubra Valley on specific days of the week. Here is the current schedule (schedules may vary seasonally, so always confirm at the Leh bus stand before planning).
Leh to Diskit: Buses leave at 6:00 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The bus from Diskit to Leh leaves at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (same bus, returns next day).
You can travel to Hunder from Diskit easily by shared jeeps or hitchhiking. Hunder is just about 8 km from Diskit village and is famous for its sand dunes and double-humped camels.
Leh to Skuroo: A bus starts from Leh at 6 AM every Tuesday and Thursday. Skuroo is ahead of Thoise in Nubra Valley, and Hunder falls on the way.
Leh to Turtuk: A bus to Turtuk in Nubra Valley leaves every Saturday at 6 AM from Leh bus stand. It returns from Turtuk to Leh the next day (Sunday). Tyakshi, just ahead of Turtuk village, is the last village before LoC that you can visit.
Leh to Panamik: A bus runs between Leh and Panamik every Tuesday, leaving from Leh bus stand. You can get down at Sumur if you are interested in visiting Sumur, or go all the way to Panamik. This bus also goes to Khimee and Taksha villages ahead of Panamik towards Warshi village. As a domestic tourist, you are allowed to travel only up to Warshi village in Nubra Valley on the Panamik side.
Leh to Charsa: One bus runs from Leh to Charsa village (ahead of Sumur) every Saturday at 6 AM.
This means about 8-9 buses are available in a week to travel from Leh to Nubra Valley to different places like Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk, Sumur, and Panamik. So, plan your trip to Nubra Valley on these days accordingly.
Even within Nubra Valley, Diskit village is well connected to Turtuk and Panamik, the two different ends of Nubra Valley a tourist can visit. There is a daily bus from Diskit to Turtuk at 2:30 PM, and the same bus returns to Diskit from Turtuk at 6:00 AM. The daily bus from Panamik to Diskit runs every day at 7:30 AM.
Hence, you should not have any issues while planning a trip to Nubra Valley from Leh by bus or public transport. My friend, just keep your schedule flexible and you will be fine.
Bus Fares for Leh to Nubra Valley (2026 Season)
It is always better to buy the ticket for the bus from Leh to Nubra Valley in the prior evening itself from Leh bus stand. This booking helps to ensure you are boarded the next morning.
- Leh to Diskit: approximately Rs 200 one-way (return Rs 350-400)
- Leh to Skuroo: approximately Rs 250 one-way
- Leh to Turtuk: approximately Rs 316 one-way
- Leh to Charsa/Sumur: approximately Rs 200-250 one-way
- Leh to Panamik: approximately Rs 250-280 one-way
- Panamik to Diskit: approximately Rs 75-100
- Turtuk to Diskit: approximately Rs 80-100
You can easily get a homestay in Diskit or Hunder for about Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per person, and the two meals will cost you about Rs 200 to Rs 300. Similarly, this price range is valid for Panamik and Sumur villages too. Prices have gone up from earlier years, but Nubra is still very affordable on a budget.
Hence, the two-day budget trip from Leh to Nubra Valley by public transport will cost you about Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 in total with transport, food, and stay. A three-day trip to Nubra Valley from Leh may cost you about Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,200 by public transport.
Q7. Is there any Leh to Pangong Tso bus service?
Two buses travel from Leh to the Pangong Tso area every Saturday and Sunday. The Leh to Pangong Tso bus leaves at 6:30 AM from Leh bus stand.
The bus from Pangong Tso to Leh leaves on Sunday and Monday of every week. It is the same bus that comes from Leh on the previous day and returns the next. The bus leaves from Spangmik Village area at 6:30 AM.
This means only two buses are available in a week to travel from Leh to Pangong Tso by bus. So, plan your trip to Pangong Tso lake on these dates only if you are interested in traveling by bus.
Keep in mind that the Leh to Pangong Tso bus may not say “Pangong Tso” on it. It may display the name of the village like Spangmik, Maan, Merak, or Chusul.
Lukung village is the first village at Pangong Tso lake, and then 16 km ahead comes Spangmik Village, followed by Merak and Chusul further ahead. You will have to get down at Spangmik as most camps or stay options at Pangong Tso are available at Spangmik village.
Bus Fares for Leh to Pangong Tso (2026 Season)
It is always better to buy the ticket for the bus from Leh to Pangong Tso in the prior evening itself from Leh bus stand.
- Leh to Pangong Tso (Spangmik): approximately Rs 270 one-way
- Pangong Tso to Leh: approximately Rs 270 one-way
A round trip by bus will cost you about Rs 540 per person. You can easily get a homestay or tent camp at Pangong Tso for about Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per person, and two meals will cost you about Rs 200 to Rs 300.
Hence, the two-day budget trip from Leh to Pangong Tso by public transport will cost you about Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,800 in total with transport, food, and stay.
Other Options to Travel to Pangong Tso from Leh
Apart from these two weekly buses that run between Leh and Pangong Tso, other buses run from Leh bus stand to the nearby villages like Tangtse, Durbuk, Merak, Chusul, Tsaga, etc.
You can always refer to the complete Leh Ladakh bus schedule to check timings for these villages near Pangong Tso.
If the direct buses to Pangong Tso from Leh are not matching your schedule, you can also travel to Pangong by these buses and either get off near the lake or travel further from these villages by hitchhiking. Sometimes you may find locally shared jeeps traveling to Pangong Tso from Tangtse or Durbuk.
In case nothing works out in these nearby villages, you also have the option to ask some villagers to drop you to Pangong Tso lake in their private vehicle and charge a fare for it. You will surely find someone at these villages who has a camper, pickup, or truck that you can hire.
Q8. Is there any Leh to Tso Moriri bus service?
Three buses travel from Leh to Tso Moriri every 10th, 20th, and 30th day of the month. Hence, you can only plan your trip from Leh to Tso Moriri by bus on these dates. The Leh to Tso Moriri bus leaves at 6:30 AM on these dates from Leh bus stand.
The bus from Tso Moriri to Leh leaves on the 11th, 21st, and 1st day of every month. It is the same bus that arrives from Leh the previous day and returns the next. The bus leaves from Korzok village at 6:30 AM.
This means only three buses are available in a month to travel from Leh to Tso Moriri by bus. So, plan your trip to Tso Moriri lake on these dates only.
Keep in mind that the Leh to Tso Moriri bus may not say “Tso Moriri” on it, but it will display the name Korzok. Village Korzok is the nearest settlement to Tso Moriri lake, only a 15-minute walk away from it.
Bus Fares for Leh to Tso Moriri (2026 Season)
It is always better to buy the ticket for the bus from Leh to Tso Moriri in the prior evening itself from Leh bus stand.
- Leh to Tso Moriri (Korzok): Rs 370 one-way
- Tso Moriri to Leh: Rs 370 one-way
A round trip by bus will cost you Rs 740 per person. You can get a homestay at Korzok for about Rs 500 to Rs 800 per person, and two meals will cost you about Rs 200 to Rs 300.
Hence, the two-day budget trip from Leh to Tso Moriri by public transport will cost you about Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 in total with transport, food, and stay.
Other Options to Travel to Tso Moriri from Leh
Apart from these three monthly buses between Leh and Tso Moriri, other local buses run from Leh bus stand to nearby villages like Chumathang, Hanle, Mahe, Koyul, etc.
If the direct buses to Tso Moriri from Leh are not matching your schedule, you can also travel to Tso Moriri by these buses that will help you reach nearby areas. From Mahe bridge or nearby villages, you can travel further to Tso Moriri by hitchhiking. Sometimes you may find locally shared jeeps traveling to Korzok from Mahe bridge.
In case nothing works out, you can ask villagers to drop you to Tso Moriri in their private vehicle for a fare. You will find someone at these villages who has a pickup or truck you can hire.
Q9. Is there any Leh to Hanle bus service?
A bus from Leh to Hanle leaves at 6:30 AM every Saturday and returns the next day from Hanle to Leh. The fare is about Rs 492. There is also a bus that travels to Koyul from Leh. You can get down near Rhongo or Loma bend and then travel to Hanle by hitchhiking.
What Is the Budget or Cost of a Ladakh Trip?
The budget of a Leh Ladakh trip depends upon the number of days you have planned, your travel mode, and the kind of accommodation and food you prefer. This section breaks down the cost for different travel styles, so you can plan accordingly.
Q10. What is the budget or cost of a Leh Ladakh trip?
To be very frank, the budget for any trip including Leh Ladakh depends a lot from person to person and the taste plus comfort of stay he or she prefers.
In a Leh Ladakh trip, you may stay either at dhaba tents for as low as Rs 200-300 or posh hotels ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000. Similarly, you can eat food at local dhabas or opt for restaurants in Leh town.
If I consider our most common itinerary of the Leh Ladakh trip for 12-14 days, we can categorize the budget expenses into two categories.
A. Food, Stay, and Other Miscellaneous Expenses
If you are going with budget hotels or guest houses having decent comfort, eating decent quality food, and including only mandatory miscellaneous charges (like the Ladakh Environment Fee of Rs 400 per person plus Rs 20/day and Rs 10/day Red Cross), then you may need to shell out Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,000 per person for your Leh Ladakh itinerary of 14 days. Homestay rates in Ladakh have increased in recent years, and you should budget Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per night for basic comfortable accommodation in 2026.
B. Mode of Transportation Expenses
This depends upon what mode of transport you may opt for making a trip to Leh Ladakh. Here are a few common options, taking food, accommodation, and miscellaneous expenses into account for a 14-day trip:
- Traveling to Ladakh by self-drive (own car/bike), you are looking at about Rs 22,000 to Rs 28,000 as the total cost for the entire Leh Ladakh trip (fuel + food + stay + miscellaneous).
- Traveling to Ladakh by rented bike from Manali, you are looking at about Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 as the total cost (rental + fuel + food + stay + miscellaneous). You can check the bike rental rates in Leh Ladakh for the latest pricing.
- Traveling by privately hired taxi in Leh and reaching Leh in public/shared transport, you are looking at about Rs 25,000 to Rs 32,000 as the total cost. Check the Leh Ladakh taxi rates for the latest union rate list.
- Traveling by shared taxis or public transport throughout, you are looking at about Rs 18,000 to Rs 24,000 as the total cost for the entire trip.
For a detailed breakdown, feel free to read my article on how to calculate the cost or budget for a Leh Ladakh trip.
Q11. Can I make a budget trip to Ladakh?
It depends on what you call a budget trip. A road trip to Ladakh needs a good number of days in hand, a minimum of about 10-11 days from Delhi. Hence, the importance of the amount of money spent per day becomes important to reduce the overall cost. Here are some tips that can help you make a budget trip to Leh Ladakh.
- Travel in the shoulder months of May and September/October. You will find on-the-spot hotel bookings, fewer tourists, and good discounts everywhere.
- Traveling in a group of 4-5 people helps in reducing the overall cost of accommodation on triple sharing, and of course, the taxi cost.
- Have a balance when choosing hotels or stay options. Mix budget homestays with mid-range hotels. Similarly, alternate between eating at dhabas and restaurants.
- Use public transport wherever possible. As you can see from this article, bus fares are a fraction of taxi costs.
These tips will help reduce the budget of your Ladakh trip to a good extent. You can read this topic in detail at 5 Tips for a Budget Trip to Ladakh.
Q12. Can I reduce the taxi cost in Leh Ladakh?
Unfortunately, private taxis are costly in Ladakh, and there is not much room for reducing the cost beyond the Ladakh Taxi Union rate list. Some local drivers do offer about 10-15% discounts, but you will have to get in touch with local drivers for it. The Ladakh Taxi Union publishes official rates every season, and most drivers follow these rates strictly.
The better strategy is to find travel partners and split the taxi cost. A shared taxi seat for trips to Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso costs around Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 per person, while Tso Moriri costs around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per person through travel agents.
Q13. Can I find travel partners for my Ladakh trip and where?
If you are going on a trip to Ladakh as a solo traveler or as a couple, you should note that private taxis are very costly. However, you will be able to find shared taxis without much fuss at all in Leh.
There are lots of flyers which tourists put at cafes, restaurants, and travel agent desks wanting to share taxis for different trips within Ladakh. The Changspa Road area and Leh Main Bazaar are the best spots to find these notices.
Even travel agents organize such shared taxi trips but charge a little higher, about Rs 200-500 more than it would ideally cost. So, in the worst case, you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself.
Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meeting new people and sharing cultural thoughts and values over the trip. Nowhere else will you find more smiling and helpful people than Ladakhis 🙂
For finding travel partners online before your trip, feel free to check the DoW Travel Calendar from the link in the Main Menu of the website. There have been thousands of entries over the last several seasons, which helped travelers find companions and split costs. You can filter entries based on your travel dates and preferences.
Other Articles in the Leh Ladakh FAQ Series
This article is part of a five-article Leh Ladakh FAQ series. Here are the other articles that cover different aspects of planning your Ladakh trip:
- Leh Ladakh FAQs: Planning, Sightseeing and Routes
- Leh Ladakh FAQs: Preparing for Ladakh Trip
- Leh Ladakh FAQs: Eat, Stay, Permits, Phone Services and Others
- Leh Ladakh FAQs: Taxis, Self-Drives and Bike Rentals
Conclusion
I hope this article answers your questions about public transport in Leh Ladakh and the budget for a Ladakh trip. The bottom line is this: traveling in Ladakh by public transport is very much doable, and it is the cheapest way to explore this region. You just need patience, flexibility in your schedule, and a sense of adventure.
If you still have a travel question left, feel free to follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.
And if you found this article helpful, do share it with your friends and family planning a trip to Leh Ladakh. It always helps the community when we share useful information. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your Ladakh trip for the coming season 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to reach Leh from Delhi?
The cheapest way to reach Leh from Delhi is the HRTC direct bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate. The fare is approximately Rs 1,826 one-way (as of 2025 season). The bus takes about 30-33 hours via the Atal Tunnel route with an overnight halt at Keylong. Alternatively, you can take a Delhi to Manali bus and then a separate Manali to Leh bus, which works out slightly cheaper but requires more planning.
How many days are needed for a Ladakh trip by public transport?
You need a minimum of 12-14 days for a complete Ladakh trip by public transport from Delhi, covering Srinagar Leh Highway or Manali Leh Highway, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri. If you are flying into Leh, 7-8 days is sufficient for the local sightseeing circuit. Keep extra buffer days for bus schedule mismatches and weather delays.
Can I visit Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley by bus from Leh?
Yes. Leh to Nubra Valley (Diskit) buses run on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6 AM. Leh to Pangong Tso buses run on Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 AM. You need to plan your itinerary around these fixed bus days, and always buy your ticket the evening before from Leh bus stand.
What is the Ladakh Environment Fee in 2026?
The Ladakh Environment and Development Fee (EDF) is Rs 400 per person as a one-time charge, plus Rs 20 per person per day, and Rs 10 per person per day as Red Cross fee. You can pay this online through the Leh District Administration portal at lahdclehpermit.in. This fee is mandatory for all tourists visiting Ladakh.
Is the HPTDC Manali to Leh bus service still running?
Yes, HPTDC runs their tourist bus from Manali to Leh typically from 1st July to 15th September every year. The fare is Rs 2,900 one-way which includes dormitory accommodation, dinner, and breakfast at Hotel Chandrabhaga in Keylong. The bus now uses the Atal Tunnel instead of Rohtang Pass, making the journey faster. Check the HPTDC website for the exact schedule and booking.
What is the total budget for a Ladakh trip by public transport?
A 12-14 day Ladakh trip entirely by public transport and shared taxis costs approximately Rs 18,000 to Rs 24,000 per person in 2026. This includes bus fares (Delhi to Leh return), local transport within Ladakh, budget accommodation (homestays and guesthouses), food at local dhabas, and mandatory fees like the Environment Fee and Inner Line Permits.
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Dear DHEERAJ SHARMA, Thanks for your informative post. Can you help me with my inquiry? I need to know whether Public transport like BUS or Tempo Traveler/Taxi service run between Srinagar to Leh during the first quarter of April?
Regards
Nafi
Hello Nafi,
Srinagar to Leh usually opens in April end or May early, so buses will not be plying during early April.
Regards
Dheeraj