Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Dubai?
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 Dubai or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Kathmandu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Kathmandu?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Dubai Prices
UAE PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, 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 Dubai and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Kathmandu $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Kathmandu $68
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Kathmandu $5.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
-
Taxi Ride$12
-
Airport Taxi$12
-
Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Global Village Entry Ticket with Transfer Option: $9.50
- Dubai & Sharjah Airport Private Arrival & Departure Transfer: $10
- Global Village Entry Tickets with Optional Transfer: $11
- Global Village with Entrance Ticket and Transfers: $11
- Private Dubai Airport Arrival/Departure Transfer to Dubai City: $13
- Miracle Garden & Global Village with Optional Private Transfers: $14
- Private Dubai Airport Transfer DXB to Dubai City: $17
- Premium Dubai Airport Departure and Arrival Transfer Service: $17
- Dubai Crocodile Park Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $17
- Dubai hotel or address to Dubai Airport (DXB) – Departure Private Transfer: $17
- Global Village Dubai Admission Ticket With Transfer (Optional): $18
- Dubai Airport Private Departure / Arrival Airport Transfer: $19
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:
- Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Everest Scenic Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $239
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat &Transfer: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $190
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $168
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Dubai 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 dayDubai $96Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
-
French bread$0.95
-
Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
-
Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
-
Coffee & Cake$6.54
-
Smoothie$5.45
-
Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dubai Luxury Red Dunes Safari with BBQ Dinner and Live Shows: $4.00
- Evening Desert Safari With BBQ dinner & live shows: $5.00
- Dubai Desert Safari Tour Hotel Transfer, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $6.78
- Premium Desert Safari with Camel Ride, Sandboard Dinner with BBQ: $6.78
- VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $8.00
- Premium vip private desrt safari BBQ dinner quad live shows: $8.25
- Premium Desert Safari with VIP Lounge, Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner: $8.36
- Premium Desert Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride, Quad bike & Dinner: $8.37
- Dubai Private Red Dunes Safari With Quad Biking, Dinner and Shows: $8.40
- Desert Safari,Premium sofa,Quad Bike,CamelRide,BBQ Dinner,Shows: $8.71
- VIP Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari 4x4, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $8.75
- Budget-Friendly Evening Desert Safari + BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $8.99
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.Dubai $19Kathmandu $6.92
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- Dubai Al Shindagha Museum Admission Ticket: $5.49
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.71
- Dubai Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.82
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Dubai Walking Tour 1h00 and 9 audio reviews: $7.26
- Global Village Dubai Ticket With Transport Options: $9.00
- The Palm Monorail Ticket Dubai: $9.21
- Miracle Garden and Global Village Entrance Ticket: $9.77
- Private Evening Desert Safari Dubai Tour: $10
- Dubai Butterfly Garden Ticket Deals: $10
- Global Village Tickets: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
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:
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu: $70
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 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 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 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 Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Kathmandu $4.93
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
-
A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $38
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 Dubai and Kathmandu, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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.