Leh Travel Tips and FAQ

Leh is straightforward to reach by air but remote by road, and the altitude at 3,500 metres changes how you should plan your first two days. This Leh travel tips and FAQ guide covers the airport, roads, permits, costs, food and safety, plus answers to the questions most first-time visitors ask. Read it alongside the best time to visit Leh guide and the Leh weather by month climate data.

Leh Travel Tips: Getting to Leh

Leh is served by Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), about 4km from town, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and a few other Indian cities on Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. A prepaid taxi from the airport to Main Bazaar costs about Rs 400 to Rs 600 and takes 15 minutes. The two overland routes are the Leh-Manali highway (NH3, about 430km, open mid May to mid October) and the Srinagar-Leh highway (NH1, about 420km, open May to November). Both cross passes above 4,800 metres, so fly in if you are short on time or arriving outside the road season. This guide is part of the full Leh travel guide, and you can time your trip with the Leh events and festivals calendar.

Leh Travel Tips: Altitude, Health and Acclimatisation

Leh sits at 3,500 metres and the passes you will cross reach 5,300 metres, so acute mountain sickness is the main risk. Spend your first 24 to 48 hours in Leh doing nothing strenuous, drink three to four litres of water a day, avoid alcohol, and skip straight trips to Khardung La or Pangong on day one, both covered in the things to do in Leh list. Mild symptoms are headache, poor sleep and breathlessness; if they worsen or you get confused or cannot walk straight, descend and get oxygen or medical help. Most hotels sell small oxygen cans, and Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital in Leh handles altitude cases 24 hours a day. Diamox (acetazolamide) helps some people but is not a substitute for rest.

Leh Travel Tips: Permits and Paperwork

Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri and Turtuk, which costs about Rs 500 per person plus a wildlife fee and can be obtained online or through any Leh travel agent in an hour. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for the same areas, arranged through a registered travel agent, and they must travel in a group of at least two. Carry your passport or ID and printed permit copies at checkpoints, and apply a day before you travel.

Leh Travel Tips: Money, Food, Water and Safety

• Money: ATMs cluster on Main Bazaar and Fort Road but run dry on busy weekends, so carry Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 in cash for homestays, taxis and small shops that do not take cards.
• Food: try thukpa (noodle soup), momos, skyu (a thick vegetable stew) and butter tea at local kitchens, and note that most places serve vegetarian food, with meat scarce and often frozen.
• Water: do not drink the tap water. Buy bottled water or, better, carry a filter bottle and refill at your hotel, since plastic waste is a serious problem in Ladakh.
• Safety: Leh is one of the safest towns in India for solo travellers, but do not drive the high passes at night, always tell your guesthouse your trek route, and respect monastery rules by removing shoes and hats inside shrines.

Suggested Hotels in Leh

The Grand Dragon Ladakh

Leh’s flagship luxury hotel with oxygen support, a spa and fine dining, a short walk from the palace and bazaar. Best for travellers who want comfort while acclimatising. Check rates and availability

Gomang Boutique Hotel Ladakh

A boutique hotel on Upper Changspa Road with a garden and restaurant, close to Shanti Stupa. Best for couples who want a quiet, design-led stay. Check rates and availability

Hotel Om Ladakh

A dependable 3-star hotel with a garden, restaurant and bar, a short walk from Shanti Stupa. Best for budget travellers who want a proper hotel. Check rates and availability

For more options by area, see the where to stay in Leh guide and the Leh neighborhoods guide.