How much does it cost to travel to Pokhara?
You should plan to spend around $19 (NP₨2,513) per day on your vacation in Pokhara. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $8.11 (NP₨1,079) on meals
- $7.65 (NP₨1,018) on local transportation
- $7.84 (NP₨1,044) on hotels
A one week trip to Pokhara for two people costs, on average, $264 (NP₨35,176). 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 Pokhara 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 Pokhara expensive to visit?
Pokhara is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Nepal, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Pokhara in depth.
Within Asia, Pokhara is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Pokhara.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Pokhara Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Pokhara?
The average Pokhara trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Pokhara travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
NP₨1,044
($8)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
NP₨1,018
($8)
|
|
Food 2
|
NP₨1,079
($8)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
NP₨969
($7)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
NP₨447 -
1,340
($3 - 10)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
NP₨437 -
1,312
($3 - 10)
|
Accommodation Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Pokhara is $3.92 (NP₨522). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Pokhara is $7.84 (NP₨1,044). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Pokhara is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.65 (NP₨1,018) per person, per day, on local transportation in Pokhara.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$7.65
NP₨1,018
How much does it cost to go to Pokhara? 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 Pokhara 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 Pokhara are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Pokhara, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Pokhara can vary, the average cost of food in Pokhara is $8.11 (NP₨1,079) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Pokhara should cost around $3.24 (NP₨432) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Pokhara is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$8.11
NP₨1,079
Typical prices for Food in Pokhara are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Pokhara, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Dinner for Two
NP₨600
-
Dessert (for 2)
NP₨400
-
Pastries
NP₨200
-
Dinner
NP₨850
Entertainment Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Pokhara typically cost an average of $7.28 (NP₨969) 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.
$7.28
NP₨969
Tips and Handouts Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Pokhara is $0.38 (NP₨50), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$0.38
NP₨50
Alcohol Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $6.57 (NP₨875) on alcoholic beverages in Pokhara per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.57
NP₨875
Water Budget in Pokhara
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.20 (NP₨27) on bottled water in Pokhara per day. The public water in Pokhara is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.20
NP₨27
Last Updated: Mar 24, 2024
Pokhara On a Budget
Pokhara, Nepal
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular
Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
Much like the Thamel neighborhood in Kathmandu, Pokhara has a high concentration of hotels, shops, and restaurants. It's located on the edge of a lake and is a great town to relax in for a few days after a strenuous multi-week trek. You are also likely to run into some of the friends you made during your trek, as everyone usually lingers for at least a few days.
It is important to realize that Pokhara is a tourist town. It lacks some of the authenticity of Kathmandu, but it does give you some much needed comforts after a long and strenuous hike. You'll have earned it.
Pokhara's climate is sub-tropical but the city's elevation keeps the temperatures moderate. The summer temperatures average between 25 and 33 degrees Celsius and the winters range from freezing to 15 degrees Celsius. Snow does not fall in the valley but the surrounding hills do occasionally have snow. Summers are humid and mild and most precipitation falls during the monsoon season between July and September. Winter and spring are usually sunny and clear.
Sights
There are many sights in and around Pokhara that are worth a visit. Phewa Lake is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. The lake is surrounded by forests and snow covered peaks. You can hire a boat to get out on the water and enjoy the natural beauty Begnas Lake is about 13 kilometers southeast of town. It's a quiet and peaceful spot with a few hotels and shops. Other nearby lakes include Rupa Lake and Dipang Lake.
Other places worth visiting include Devi's Falls, The World Peace Pagoda, and Sarangkot. Interesting caves in the area include Mahendra Cave, Chamare Gufa, and Gupteswar Mahadev Cave. Museums around town include the International Mountain Museum and Gurkha Memorial Museum.
Neighborhoods
Pokhara can be divided into two main sections. There is a local area where you'll find the "authentic" side of Nepal. Then there's the "lakeside" area. This is where you'll find the guesthouses, hotels, shops, restaurants, travel agencies, and tourist facilities. This area has a high concentration of travelers and most visitors linger here and enjoy the comfortable setting either before or after their long trek. It's a great area to meet fellow travelers and exchange travel tips, but if you want to see a more real part of the city, venture into the local areas as well.
Activities
There are some great adventure sports in and around Pokhara. You can try your hand at whitewater rafting, paragliding, or mountain biking. You can also take a boat tour of the lake or enjoy a farmstay with a local family.
If you're looking for a more relaxing activity, consider taking a cooking class or doing a yoga or meditation retreat.
Popular festivals in town include Diwali and the Full Moon Trance Parties.
Food and Dining
Pokhara has many amenities to accommodate tourists, including a wide range of restaurants. There are plenty of western, Asian, and Nepalese restaurants that range in price and style. There are also plenty of bars where you can grab a drink and relax with friends. The cheapest food you'll find is available through street stalls. You can pick up momos, samosas, or fried noodles for a very reasonable price. Local kids sell pastries in the morning that are quite good and cheap. Most of the tourist restaurants are located along the lakeside road. The food at these restaurants is decent but the prices are higher and the atmosphere is tourist friendly.
Transportation
You can travel around Pokhara by either minivan bus, taxi, or rented bicycle. Buses are generally convenient, but if you plan to spend a day seeing the sights, it's best to hire a taxi for the day. They'll take you all over town and to the sights that are out of town and not easily reached by bus. Do arrange a price ahead of time and also make sure you are in complete agreement with driver as to what sights you will be visiting during the day.
In general, Pokhara is a small city that can easily be walked around. Most of the hotels are close to the restaurants, so unless you're traveling to outlying destinations, it is possible to walk most places.
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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.