A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangalore vs. Kathmandu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bangalore or Kathmandu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bangalore and Kathmandu can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bangalore or Kathmandu?

Bangalore

Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.

Kathmandu

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.


Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Bangalore?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangalore is $44, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $57. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bangalore and Kathmandu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangalore $20
    Kathmandu $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangalore $40
    Kathmandu $80
Compare Hotels in Bangalore and Kathmandu

Looking for a hotel in Bangalore or Kathmandu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bangalore


Hotels in Kathmandu


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kathmandu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangalore $9.70
    Kathmandu $6.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore

Also for Bangalore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Affordable Bangalore Airport Transfer: $16
  • Bangalore airport to Hotel Transfer: $18
  • Affordable Bangalore Airport Transfer: $28
  • Private Departure Transfer: Bangalore Hotels to Bengaluru International Airport: $45
  • One-Way Private City Transfer Mysore & Bangalore: $50
  • Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru City -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $79
  • From Mysore guided day tour with transfers: $167

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
  • Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
  • Pokhara: One way transfer To or From Kathmandu: $117
  • One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
  • Nagarkot to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $40
  • Mount Everest Scenic Tour by Plane with Transfers: $79
  • Mount Everest Scenic Tour by Plane with Transfers: $88
  • Everest Mountain flight by a plane with Transfer: $156

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangalore or Kathmandu?

Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Bangalore change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bangalore $13
    Kathmandu $8.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore

For Bangalore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Family: $32
  • Private Cooking Demonstration in a Bangalore Home: $45
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $51
  • Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with an Award Winning Chef: $54
  • Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience: $60
  • Private In-Home Cooking Demonstration and Meal in Bangalore: $68
  • Private Cooking Dining Experience in Bengaluru: $74
  • Private Indian Cooking Class and Meal in Bangalore Home: $74
  • 3-Hour Private Cooking Lesson and Meal in a Bangalore Home: $74

Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.

  • Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $13
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
  • Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $25
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangalore $11
    Kathmandu $8.04

Tours and Activities in Bangalore

For Bangalore, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bangalore Walking Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
  • Bangalore Night Walking Tour: $13
  • Bangalore Heritage and Cultural Walking Tour: $14
  • Cubbon Park Heritage Walk: A self-guided tour of Bangalore's unique history: $15
  • Bangalore Night Walking Tour (2 hours guided walking tour): $17
  • Walk on Tales of Bangalore (2 hours guided walking tour): $17
  • Walk of Divinity Bangalore (2 hours guided walking tour): $17
  • Food Walk Tour Bangalore: $25
  • Bangalore Private Tour: $35
  • Hire a guide for full day Bangalore city tour with own transport: $39
  • See Bangalore through my eyes (Cultural / Historical / Walking Tour): $42
  • Basavanagudi Walking Tour with Bull Temple: $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.76
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • Day tour Namo Buddha : $90
  • Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
  • Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $199
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $110
  • Private Full Day Tour In Kathmandu City: $115
  • Private Full- Day Nagarkot SunriseTour and Bhaktapur( UNESCO) Durbar Square : $90
  • Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
  • "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
  • 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $312
  • 1 Day Everest base camp helicopter tour: $2,146
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
  • 1 Day Rock Climbing Tour near Kathmandu Valley: $190

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangalore $9.07
    Kathmandu $5.77

Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:

  • Pub Crawl Bangalore (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $34
  • Pub Crawl in Bengaluru - A lovely private evening experience with a local: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangalore and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Bangalore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangalore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangalore and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Bangalore.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangalore Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bangalore or Kathmandu?

Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Bangalore and Kathmandu, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.