How much does it cost to travel to Kathmandu?
You should plan to spend around $57 (NP₨7,531) per day on your vacation in Kathmandu. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $8.31 (NP₨1,106) on meals
- $6.95 (NP₨925) on local transportation
- $80 (NP₨10,710) on hotels
A one week trip to Kathmandu for two people costs, on average, $792 (NP₨105,440). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Kathmandu has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Kathmandu expensive to visit?
Kathmandu is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Nepal, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Kathmandu is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Datong or Lahore.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Kathmandu Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Kathmandu?
The average Kathmandu trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Kathmandu travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
NP₨10,710
($80)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
NP₨925
($7)
|
|
Food 2
|
NP₨1,106
($8)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
NP₨1,070
($8)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
NP₨134 -
403
($1 - 3)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
NP₨384 -
1,152
($3 - 9)
|
Accommodation Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Kathmandu is $40 (NP₨5,355). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Kathmandu is $80 (NP₨10,710). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Kathmandu is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $6.95 (NP₨925) per person, per day, on local transportation in Kathmandu.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$6.95
NP₨925
How much does it cost to go to Kathmandu? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Kathmandu will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Kathmandu are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Kathmandu, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Kathmandu can vary, the average cost of food in Kathmandu is $8.31 (NP₨1,106) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Kathmandu should cost around $3.32 (NP₨442) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Kathmandu is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$8.31
NP₨1,106
Typical prices for Food in Kathmandu are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Kathmandu, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Dessert
NP₨180
-
Dinner for Two
NP₨400
Entertainment Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Kathmandu typically cost an average of $8.04 (NP₨1,070) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$8.04
NP₨1,070
Typical prices for Entertainment in Kathmandu are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Kathmandu, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $5.77 (NP₨768) on alcoholic beverages in Kathmandu per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.77
NP₨768
Water Budget in Kathmandu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.35 (NP₨46) on bottled water in Kathmandu per day. The public water in Kathmandu is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.35
NP₨46
Last Updated: Mar 24, 2024
Kathmandu On a Budget
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
The city is at an elevation of about 1,400 meters or 4,600 feet. It's located in a bowl shaped valley in the central part of the country and is surrounded by the mountains of Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. The city's climate is relatively temperate with a humid subtropical climate in the parts of the city that are at a lower elevation and subtropical highland climate at the higher elevations. The average summer temperature is in the mid 80s Fahrenheit and the average winter temperatures are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall occurs most heavily during the monsoon months of June and August.
Sights
Kathmandu is at the cultural heart of Nepal and there are countless sights to visit while you're in town. Of particular interest is Swayambhu, or the Monkey Temple. It sits on a hill that looks out over the city and is a sacred Buddhist site. It is covered with monkeys that interact with visitors along the 350 steps to the top.
A visit to Durbar Square is a must to see the many temples and palaces. Also visit Boudha Stupa, which is one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhism. This is a huge stupa and a World Heritage Site. Other sites of interest around town include Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Pashupatinath, the Garden of Dreams, and Budda Neelkanth Temple.
Neighborhoods
As a tourist, you'll likely spend most of your time in the
Thamel Chowk neighborhood. This is where you'll find plenty of equipment shops, food stores, and hotels. You'll also have no trouble meeting other travelers who are either beginning, or just finishing their treks. If you're hoping to pick up some equipment, keep in mind that most of the supplies are knock offs, and the quality is variable. Negotiate hard, and if you're purchasing an authentic item, you are likely to pay full price for it, a price that is comparable to what you would pay in a western country.
Kathmandu's Durbar Square is also a point of interest. It is filled with palaces and temples and is best visited during the early morning when all of the merchants are open and the devotees are making their offerings to the shrines and temples.
Activities
Most people travel to Nepal to trek or hike in the Himalayan Mountains. Kathmandu offers many facilities to help you organize and coordinate your trek. It's also possible to coordinate activities such as mountain flights or village visits through any of the travel agencies around town.
Popular
festivals in Kathmandu include the Festival of Lights, Bikram Sambat's New Year's, Indra Jatra, the Himalayan Blues Festival, and Dashain.
Food and Dining
Restaurants in Kathmandu are quite good. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants that cater to tourists in the Thamel neighborhood. Nepalese food is similar to Indian food with subtle differences and some Chinese influence. The most popular dish is the momo. Momos are a form of dumpling that originated in the Tibetan mountains. You can order them either steamed or fried and they are typically filled with either buffalo, chicken or vegetables. A Nepali set meal usually includes rice, daal, and a vegetable or meat curry. You'll also find plenty of Thai, Chinese, and dessert options throughout the Thamel area.
Transportation
Most people begin or end their trip to Nepal in Kathmandu. The city's Tribhuvan International Airport is the largest in the country, as well as Nepal's only international airport. It's located about five and a half kilometers east of the Thamel neighborhood. You can pick up a free map of Kathmandu Valley at the airport. The city can be challenging to navigate as many streets do not have names. Directions are typically given based on the nearest city square or notable landmark.
If you're planning to go hiking in Nepal, you will likely need a TIMS card, which is a permit to go trekking in the country. For more information, check out
How to get a TIMS card in Kathmandu.
It is possible to walk around most neighborhoods in Kathmandu, but if the overcrowded nature of the city is frustrating for you, a taxi may be your best option. Both rickshaws and taxis can be found in the Thamel neighborhood. You should insist that the driver use his meter and if you feel the service was decent then a tip is appreciated. If the driver refuses to use the meter then either find a different taxi or negotiate the price in advance (and negotiate hard!). If you're traveling a greater distance to Patan, Bakhtapur, or Boudha then you should consider taking a bus. This is a fun and cost effective way to get around Kathmandu.
To get out of Kathmandu there are a couple of bus stations to choose from. Make sure you fully understand which bus station you need to so that you can catch a a bus headed to your intended destination. The process can be somewhat confusing.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.