Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul 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: Istanbul or Kathmandu?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $154Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $154, 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 Istanbul and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $71Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $142Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $33Kathmandu $6.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul VIP Shopping Experience with Transfers and Refreshments: $9.00
- Princess Islands Day Trip w Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $18
- Istanbul Princes Island Tour with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- istanbul airport transfer: $24
- Princes Islands Tour with Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $24
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $28
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $28
- Istanbul Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $30
- Private Istanbul Airport Transfer to Blue Mosque Sultan Ahmet: $30
- Hotel to Ist Istanbul Airport Transfer: $30
- Istanbul Airport Private Departure Transfer: $31
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfer: $32
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$1.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer — Private Pickup or Drop: $17
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Kathmandu to Pokhara or Pokhara to Kathmandu Private Transfer: $30
- Nagarkot to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $40
- Kathmandu to Namobuddha Transfer by Private AC Car One Way: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $57Kathmandu $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $23
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $23
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $30
- Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus View Tavern Dinner & Belly Dance Show: $30
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $32
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $33
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.17
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Dinner for Two$2.61
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
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- 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
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $37Kathmandu $6.98
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: Hidden Stories & Secret Places: $4.00
- Istanbul Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.22
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.39
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Balat&Asia: $8.00
- Istanbul Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and Walking Tour: $8.30
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $8.31
- Istanbul Istiklal Street Story Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.99
- Istanbul Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $10
- Ihlamur Pavilion Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide: $11
- Istanbul Bosphorus and Golden Horn Cruise With Audio Guide: $12
- Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises: $12
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$1.30
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.26
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.30
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride and Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
- Kathmandu City Tour: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Kathmandu Heritage Highlights: Best of Kathmandu Private Day Tour: $8.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Chitwan to Pokhara Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Private sightseeing Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage: $10
- Women Thamel Walking Tour: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $10Kathmandu $4.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $31
- Pub Crawl Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $31
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Highlights Expert Guided Tour With Syriac Wine Tasting: $120
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $212
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Kathmandu, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul is in Europe 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Kathmandu?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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.