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 $156Kathmandu $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $156, 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 Istanbul and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $72Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $144Kathmandu $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 $34Kathmandu $6.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.48
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
- Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $21
- istanbul airport transfer: $23
- Istanbul IST Airport Transfer to or from Old City & Taksim Hotels: $26
- Private Transfer to/from Istanbul Airport (IST): $27
- Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Private Airport Transfers: $28
- Transfer Istanbul City Center to Istanbul Ataturk Airport: $28
- Transfer Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) to City Center: $28
- Istanbul Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $29
- Guided Half Day Afternoon Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Transfer: $29
- Private Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Transfer hotel-airport: $30
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:
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $8.00
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25
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
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $23
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $28
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows and Drinks: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table: $30
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
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.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
- 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
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $38Kathmandu $7.03
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Daily Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul with lunch: $2.50
- Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.52
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.49
- Istanbul's Karaköy Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Photography Tour: $6.79
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul: $7.04
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Balat&Asia: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $8.21
- Bosphorus Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $9.00
- Sapanca and Masukiye Tour from Istanbul with Optional Activities: $10
- Ihlamur Pavilion Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide: $11
- Sapanca and Masukiye Tour: $11
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:
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Chitwan: $9.50
- Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $10
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
- Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
- VIP Sofa Tourist Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $11
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $11
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $11
- Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Pokhara (Luxury Sofa Seat): $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $10Kathmandu $5.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $31
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $210
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 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.