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 $4.30Kathmandu $6.10
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$1.69
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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:
- Private Akshardham Temple Tour with Light Show & Transfers: $5.41
- Delhi Hotel to Airport One-Way Private Transfer by AC Vehicle: $8.58
- Private Half-Day Guided Shopping Tour with Transfer: $9.27
- Private Airport Transfer from IGI Airport Delhi to Hotel: $10
- Delhi Airport Transfer – Pickup and Drop-Off (Choose One or Both): $11
- Private Transfer From Delhi Hotel to Airport: $11
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- From Taj Mahal Sunrise Private Day Trip with Transfers: $13
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotel to Airport: $14
- Private New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer: $15
- New Delhi Airport to Delhi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $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
- 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: $40
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $19
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
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$3.09
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: $14
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $17
- Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market, Temples and Rickshaw Ride: $22
- Old Delhi Food Tour with Pickup and Drop Off: $22
- Old Delhi Hidden Gems Walking and Food Tour: $27
- Online: Indian Food Cooking Class: $29
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour – Explore Spices in Chandni Chowk: $30
- Old Delhi Chandni Chowk Heritage Walking Street Food Tour: $30
- Chandni Chowk Delhi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $39
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $40
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $40
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.19
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Dinner for Two$2.64
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
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $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
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Authentic Kathmandu Cooking Class and Guided Market Tour: $59
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $17Kathmandu $7.05
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 Old & New Delhi Guided City Tour with Car: $3.26
- Delhi Temple and Spiritual Sites Private Day Tour - 6 hours: $3.80
- Delhi Old and New Full Or Half Day Tour: $3.80
- Driving tours through beautiful India: $4.05
- Delhi Sightseeing Tour: Old and New Delhi Private Full-Day Tour: $4.34
- New Delhi and Old Delhi Private Tour 4-8 Hours - Customizable: $4.50
- Old & New Delhi City Tour-Half Or Full Day with Options Available: $4.50
- Private New Delhi Local Sightseeing - Tour: $5.00
- Tour to Old Delhi with Guide and Pickup: $5.21
- Audio Guided Tour Of Red Fort, Delhi on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Full Day Tour of Delhi With Guide & Entrances: $5.42
- Guided Shopping Tour With Female Expert Guide: $5.97
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$3.30
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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:
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car, Temple Visit & Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus VIP Sofa Seater: $7.00
- VIP Sofa Tourist Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $7.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.20
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.20
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour Private/Group.: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $9.50
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Women Thamel Walking Tour: $10
- Kathmandu Private Bhaktapur and Nagarkot Day Tour with Lunch: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $7.63Kathmandu $5.02
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
- Pub Crawl Delhi: $35
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
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.