Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Delhi?
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 Delhi or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Kathmandu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Delhi or Kathmandu?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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 Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Delhi Prices
India PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $49Kathmandu $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $49, 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 Delhi and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $21Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $42Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Delhi 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: Delhi Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $4.31Kathmandu $6.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.11
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Taxi to Airport$1.68
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Subway$0.34
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Uber Cab$0.84
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.58
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Auto-rickshaw$1.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Delhi To Agra Stress Free One Way Transfer From Delhi: $7.00
- Delhi Hotel to Airport One-Way Private Transfer by AC Vehicle: $8.58
- Delhi Airport Private Transfer to or from New Delhi and NCR: $11
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- Delhi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $11
- Delhi Highlights: Old & New Delhi Tour with Guide and Transfers: $14
- New Delhi Airport to Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $14
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotel to Airport: $14
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $15
- New Delhi Airport to Delhi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $16
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $16
- Red Fort: Delhi with Tickets Guide and Transfer: $16
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$1.32
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: $193
- 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
- From Everest Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $69
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Kathmandu to Bandipur One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $85
- Kathmandu to Besisahar One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Delhi 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 dayDelhi $18Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Old Delhi Food Tour: 8 Tastings & Tuk-Tuk Ride with Local Expert: $17
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $17
- Delhi Guided Half Day Food Tour in Famous Markets: $19
- Customized Half Day and Full Day Delhi Shopping, Street Food Tour: $20
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour Rickshaw Ride and Hidden Gems Walk: $21
- Evening Food Tour: $29
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour – Explore Spices in Chandni Chowk: $30
- Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Family Experience: $36
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $39
- Chandni Chowk Delhi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Connaught Place Street shopping & food tour in Delhi: $39
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $39
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$2.63
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
- 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
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Food tour: Food and Drink Tasting with Guide In Kathmandu: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $17Kathmandu $7.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$9.16
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour by Car from Delhi - All Inclusive: $4.80
- From Same Day Amer Fort & Jaipur Tour By Car: $4.83
- Guided Shopping Tour Experience with Female Expert: $5.00
- Jaipur Pink City Private Day Tour from Delhi by Car-All Inclusive: $5.00
- Old & New Delhi City Tour-Half Or Full Day with Options Available: $5.00
- Private Guided Full Day Tour Of Old And New Delhi: $5.00
- Jaipur day Tour from Delhi : Private and All Inclusive: $5.00
- Old Delhi Tour by Tuk-Tuk Street Food and Shopping Experience: $5.00
- Old and New Delhi Tour – Full City Experience (Private Tour): $5.17
- Audio Guided Tour Of Red Fort, Delhi on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Audio Guided Walking Tour of Qutub Minar & Mehrauli, Delhi: $5.34
- 6-Day Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi by Flight from Delhi: $5.38
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$1.32
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- All Seven UNESCO Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley: $5.00
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Women Thamel Walking Tour: $7.50
- Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $9.50
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour.: $10
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $7.63Kathmandu $5.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Delhi
Also in Delhi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $29
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 Delhi and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu 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 Delhi Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Kathmandu?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Delhi 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.