Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cairo or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Kathmandu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cairo or Kathmandu?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $30Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $30, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $54. 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 Cairo and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Kathmandu $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Kathmandu $68
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.
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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.46Kathmandu $5.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
-
Metro Ride$0.08
-
Taxi Ride$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Private arrival transfer to Giza and Cairo hotels from Cairo airport: $6.72
- VIP Meet and assist with transfer from Cairo and SPX Airport: $7.00
- Private Airport or City Transfer to Cairo and Giza hotels: $8.75
- Private Arrival Transfer From Cairo Airport: $8.80
- Cairo CAI Airport Private Transfer to/from Cairo/El Omraniya: $8.82
- Cairo Airport (CAI) Private Transfer From or To All Cairo Hotells: $9.13
- Cairo Airport Transfer Service with Private Driver: $10
- Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel Vise Versa: $10
- Private Transfer To/From Cairo Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer from Cairo City to Cairo Airport: $12
- VIP Private Cairo Airport Transfer To Or From Cairo , Giza Hotels: $12
- Pickup transfer from Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Cairo 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 dayCairo $16Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
-
Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.00
- Explore Giza Pyramids with Camel, ATV, Dinner Cruise, & Shopping: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.40
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Cairo Dinner Nile Cruise with Belly Dancer Show on Nile River: $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.16
-
Dinner for Two$2.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $10
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.29Kathmandu $6.92
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.77
-
Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$5.90
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private VIP Giza Tour+ New Musuem + Market: $3.59
- Day tour to Giza pyramids & sphinx, saqqara and Memphis: $4.00
- Full-Day Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, Saqqara&Memphis All-Inclusive Tour: $4.00
- Best-Selling Giza Pyramids Tour: Camel Ride, Lunch &Private Guide: $4.00
- Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.50
- Shopping tour In Governmental Bazaars include guide's advisor: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Half-Day Private Tour: $5.00
- Explore Giza Pyramids on a Private ATV or Camel Tour: $5.00
- Cairo Shopping Tours to Old Markets and Local Souqs: $5.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx Full Tour inside pyramids & tomb: $5.00
- Ancient Egypt Journey: Giza, Saqqara & Dahshur Private Experience: $5.00
- Ultimate Giza Pyramids Tour, Camel Ride, Lunch & Inside Pyramids: $5.00
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.29
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu: $8.00
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $9.00
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Sofa Bus: $11
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.35Kathmandu $4.93
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $69
- Cairo Autumn Downtown Food & Bar Crawl with Drinks: $109
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and Kathmandu is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Kathmandu?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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.
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.