A viral social media post has sparked debate after revealing that flying from Delhi to Leh costs less than taking a cab from Gurugram to Greater Noida.
On Wednesday, Delhi-based writer Aaraynsh shared a screenshot showing a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Leh priced at Rs 1,540, while an app-based cab ride from Gurugram to Greater Noida was quoted at Rs 1,952.61. The flight, scheduled for 5.55 am, covers nearly 620 km in 1 hour 30 minutes, whereas the cab ride—spanning roughly 70 km—costs more and takes over three hours.
“Today, flying from Delhi to Ladakh is cheaper than taking a cab from Gurgaon to Greater Noida,” the post read. It quickly gained traction, clocking over 55,000 views and triggering a wave of reactions.
Netizens react with humor and hard facts
One user summed up the irony: “Delhi to Leh – 2 hours, Gurugram to GN – 3.5 hours.” Another asked about the validity of the airfare, prompting Aaraynsh to clarify: “Tomorrow till next two to three months.”
Others shared personal experiences of soaring cab fares, with one noting: “It's weird with Uber these days. I go up and down from Gurgaon to Greater Noida twice a week. About 7-8 months back, on Saturday,s I have booked Uber for as little as Rs 400. But now it's Rs 1,200-1,300. You should use Rapido, it's always around Rs 900.”
Debate over off-season pricing
Not everyone was amused. Some pointed out that the Rs 1,540 airfare reflects off-season rates.
“Sometimes Delhi to Leh is Rs 15,000 a ticket. Abhi may be less as Leh has sub-zero temperatures in winter and no water,” wrote one user. Another added, “These are off-season prices. Look at the prices of the tourist season. Please post again in February and March. Do taxis have off-season prices?” The comment included a calendar screenshot showing fares rising to Rs 2,399 in late February.
Off-season round-trip flight prices to Ladakh (Leh) from major Indian cities typically range from
Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, as per Google Flights. Fares are generally lowest during the winter months (January to March and November to December) and can often be found for under Rs 15,000, with some one-way deals from Delhi or Srinagar potentially dropping as low as Rs 3,000-Rs 6,000 when booked in advance.
During the peak season (June to September), flight prices to Ladakh are significantly higher, often more than double the off-season fares. The most expensive months are typically May, June, July, and August, with average round-trip fares ranging from Rs 25,000 to over Rs 50,000, depending on the departure city and booking time.
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