Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Kathmandu $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $57. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Kathmandu $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Kathmandu $80
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Kathmandu $6.95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Global Village Dubai Ticket with Optional transfer: $10
- Private Dubai Airport Transfer DXB to Anywhere in Dubai: $13
- Sharing Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Dubai Mall (Burj Khalifa, VR Parks, DAUZ): $18
- Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Aquaventure/Lost Chamber: $18
- Dubai Airport Transfers from all terminals: $19
- Dubai Global Village All Days Ticket With Shared Transfer: $20
- Dubai Frame Entry Ticket With Optional Transfer: $20
- Dubai Frame Admission Ticket with Transfer Option: $20
- Dubai Frame Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $20
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Dubai Airport (DXB): $20
- Dubai Airport Private one way Arrival or Departure Transfer: $22
- Dubai Airport Shuttle - One Way Departure Transfer: $22
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$1.50
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 Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Kathmandu to Chitwan (Sauraha) Private Transfer: $197
- 3-Day Chitwan Safari Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $180
- From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
- From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
- Pokhara: One way transfer To or From Kathmandu: $117
- Kathmandu to Pokhara transfer by private air conditioned car: $110
- Kathmandu Airport to Nagarkot Hotel Transfer: $109
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
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Food Meals for one dayDubai $56Kathmandu $8.31
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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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:
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Ocean Express Dinner Cruise Al-Seef: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $15
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Creek: $15
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
- Cruising With Dinner And Live Shows At Dubai Creek: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner Deira Creek: $19
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.35
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Dinner for Two$3.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.58
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.36
- Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $9.50
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
- Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $25
- Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $27
- Private Cooking class with Pickup and Drop: $29
- Cooking class in kathmandu( Women empowerment project): $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Kathmandu $8.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- Tourist eSIM/SIM Card with Data and Minutes: $2.48
- Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
- Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
- 4G Data Roaming eSIM Card for Tourists: $7.18
- Small-Group Premium Old Town, Souk, & Abra Boat Tour: $7.90
- Walking Tour with Gold & Spice Souks & Abra Boat Ride: $8.85
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Dubai Old city tour small group - History and Traditions: $9.53
- Guided Old Town Tour with Souks, Tastings & Boat Tour: $9.67
- Walking Tour, Old Town, Abra, Souks & Street Food: $9.80
- Global Village Tickets : $10
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$1.50
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.76
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Luxury Tourist Bus to Chitwan from Kathmandu : $22
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $117
- Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
- 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $312
- 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $70
- 1 Day Volunteer Tour at Orphanage in Kathmandu: $273
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
- 1 day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Kathmandu $5.77
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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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: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
- Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110
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.