A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dahab vs. Pokhara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dahab or Pokhara?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Pokhara 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: Dahab or Pokhara?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

Pokhara

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.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Dahab?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $23, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $22. 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 Dahab and Pokhara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $8.47
    Pokhara $3.43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $17
    Pokhara $6.86
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Pokhara

Looking for a hotel in Dahab or Pokhara? 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 Dahab


Hotels in Pokhara


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $2.82
    Pokhara $6.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Dahab to Sharm El-Sheikh: Private Door-to-Door Transfer: $63
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $100
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $119
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $36
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:

  • Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
  • White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
  • Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
  • Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
  • Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
  • One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
  • Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
  • Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
  • Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
  • Pokhara ↔️ Kathmandu: VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer (Rainbow): $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Pokhara?

Prices for flights to both Pokhara and Dahab 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
    Dahab $12
    Pokhara $12
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $1.82
  • Juice
    $0.10
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.57

Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $3.95
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $2.63
  • Pastries
    $1.32
  • Dinner
    $5.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara

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

  • Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
  • MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
  • Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
  • 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
  • Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dahab $5.96
    Pokhara $6.38

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $30
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $42
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $43
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
  • Seascope Submarine Tour from Dahab: $45
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
  • Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure Tour: $55
  • Private Day Tour To Blue Lagoon And Ras Abu Galum From Dahab: $65

Tours and Activities in Pokhara

Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
  • "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
  • "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
  • 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
  • 3 Night 4 Days Lower mustang 4W jeep tour from Pokhara: $404
  • 3-Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Adventure From Kathmandu/Pokhara: $161
  • 90-Minute Aarati Tour in Pokhara Lakeside: $33
  • ATV Tours: Rev Up Your Adventure: $46
  • Adventures in the Sky: Ultra Light Flying Over Pokhara: $330
  • Afternoon Tibetan cultural tour: $58
  • Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Sightseeing Tour: $550
  • Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour: $680

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $3.54
    Pokhara $5.76


When comparing the travel costs between Dahab and Pokhara, we can see that Dahab 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. Even though Dahab is in Africa and Pokhara is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Pokhara?

Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab and Pokhara, 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.