Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Jaipur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jaipur or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jaipur and Kathmandu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Jaipur or Kathmandu?
Jaipur
Jaipur, India, famously known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and is often a highlight for many travelers to the area. Dating back to the eighteenth century, it is part of the Indian Golden Triangle which also includes Delhi and Agra. It's also a stopping off point for travelers venturing into the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The city has a population of about 6.66 million people, making it the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and the tenth largest city in the country.
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 Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaipur $19Kathmandu $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaipur is $19, 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 Jaipur and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaipur $12Kathmandu $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaipur $24Kathmandu $80
Compare Hotels in Jaipur and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Jaipur 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: Jaipur Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaipur $1.54Kathmandu $6.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur
Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Jaipur Airport JAI To Jaipur Hotels: $8.99
- Private Jaipur Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel/Accommodation: $9.21
- Private Airport Transfer :- From Jaipur International Airport to Hotel: $10
- Private Train Station Transfer :- From Jaipur Train Station to Hotel: $10
- One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $12
- Jaipur/Delhi/Agra: Private One-Way Transfers: $12
- Jaipur Airport & Hotel Transfers/Pickup & Drop: $13
- Jaipur Airport Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer From Jaipur to Agra including Fatehpur Sikri: $15
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Jaipur International Airport: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer: Jaipur International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer from Jaipur to Ajmer: $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Transfers: $1,999
- 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
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: One Way Private Transfer: $156
- Everest Mountain flight by a plane with Transfer: $156
- Everest Mountain Flight with Private Transfers: $156
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
- From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaipur or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Jaipur 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 dayJaipur $4.75Kathmandu $8.31
Typical Food Prices in Jaipur
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:
-
Dinner$6.58
-
Soda$0.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jaipur Street food tour: $4.59
- Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $12
- Culture walking and food tour with guide in Jaipur.: $14
- Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class) : $16
- cooking class demo with dinner: $20
- Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
- Cooking class demo with dinner : $21
- Jaipur Full Day Tour with local family dinner: $21
- Traditional Dinner with Family including Transfers: $22
- Taste of Jaipur (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour with Local): $24
- History Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Food Tour in Jaipur: $25
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.35
-
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.
- Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $13
- 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
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $25
- Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaipur $3.81Kathmandu $8.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaipur
For Jaipur, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Palace Entry for Two$1.20
Tours and Activities in Jaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.
- All Inclusive Full Day Guided Jaipur City Tour: $4.50
- Agra Sunrise Sightseeing with Fatehpur Sikri: All Inclusive: $5.00
- Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Jaipur by Car: $5.00
- From Half-Day City Tour with Guide: $5.88
- Private Shopping Tour by Tuk Tuk: $6.00
- Private Full Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour By Tuk Tuk: $6.00
- Private Shopping City Tour by Tuk Tuk: $6.00
- Private Full Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour By Tuk-Tuk: $6.00
- From Private Half-Day City Tour with Guide: $6.50
- Full day Jaipur sightseeing tour by tuk tuk.: $6.52
- Jaipur customized Half Day Tour: $6.55
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour by tuk tuk: $6.71
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.50
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.76
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Day tour Namo Buddha : $90
- Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
- Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $199
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $110
- Private Full Day Tour In Kathmandu City: $115
- Private Full- Day Nagarkot SunriseTour and Bhaktapur( UNESCO) Durbar Square : $90
- 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 Everest base camp helicopter tour: $2,146
- 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
- 1 Day Rock Climbing Tour near Kathmandu Valley: $190
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaipur $2.72Kathmandu $5.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaipur
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaipur:
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $32
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $39
- Pub Crawl Jaipur: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaipur and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Jaipur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaipur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaipur 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Jaipur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaipur Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaipur or Kathmandu?
Jaipur has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Jaipur 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.