Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Kathmandu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Chiang Mai or Kathmandu?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $59Kathmandu $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $59, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $55. 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 Chiang Mai and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.03Kathmandu $6.07
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.21
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Moped Rental$5.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gems Gallery Chiang Mai with Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $1.16
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Shared AC Minivan Transfer Chiang Mai to Mon Jam (Return Option): $8.25
- Chiang Mai Mae Kampong One Way Shared Minivan Transfer: $9.77
- Chiang Mai to Pai Shared Minivan Transfer with Hotel Pickup: $9.79
- Shared Minivan Transfer to Chiang Mai and Mae Kampong Village: $11
- One Way Van Transfer Between Chiang Mai and Doi Inthanon: $14
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $14
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way): $15
- Chiang Mai International Airport Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
- Chiang Mai Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall with Hotel Transfer: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport: $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
- Lukla Flight Ticket with Sharing Transfer Service: $270
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Everest Scenic Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $239
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
- Mount Everest Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat & Transfers: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $180
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $158
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Chiang Mai 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
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Food Meals for one dayChiang Mai $20Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.90
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.73
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Casual Breakfast$1.21
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.05
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Mangoes$0.91
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Coffee$1.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $12
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $28
- Half-Day Cooking Class: $28
- Evening Thai cooking class: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai: $28
- Morning Thai cooking class: $28
- Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center: $29
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $29
- Baan Farm Thai Cooking School Chiangmai: $30
- Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $30
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.18
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Dinner for Two$2.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- 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
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Kathmandu $7.01
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$39
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.82
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Kratong Lessons$3.03
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Pedicure$4.54
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.45
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.56
- Chiang Mai Eco Tourism Elephant Poop Paper Creative Experience: $5.58
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car – 3 Hours Experience: $12
- Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Interactive 3D Museum Experience: $14
- Chiang Mai Old City Temple Tour: $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $16
- FAM Fahlanna Art Museum Admission Ticket, Chiang Mai: $17
- Chiang Mai Farm Life & Khao Soy Tasting on a Half Day Boat Tour: $19
- Best Seller! Doi Suthep & Wat Umong Night Tour: $19
- Chiang Mai River Cruise with Thai Farmers House and Khao Soi: $20
- Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium Real Muay Thai Fight Night Show Ticket: $20
- Mae Ping Cruise and Farmer’s House Visit: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.31
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.28
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.31
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 1 Day Kathmandu 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $155
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Kathmandu City with Nagarkot Sunrise, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Tour: $236
- 2 Day Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Private Tour from Chitlang to Markhu: $210
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.50Kathmandu $5.00
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$3.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: 4 Venues, Beer Buffet & VIP Entry: $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and Kathmandu, we can see that Chiang Mai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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.