Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg 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: Johannesburg or Kathmandu?
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.
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 Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $95Kathmandu $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, 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 Johannesburg and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $55Kathmandu $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $110Kathmandu $80
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg 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: Johannesburg Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Kathmandu $6.95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
-
Taxi Ride$3.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $42
- OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $43
- Private Airport Transfer & Grounds to Sandton, Johannesburg & Pretoria 599: $44
- Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $45
- OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $46
- Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $47
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
- Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $52
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:
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Airport Arrival & Departure Transfer: $18
- Kathmandu airport transfer service: $19
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Johannesburg 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 dayJohannesburg $17Kathmandu $8.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Maboneng Street Art and Street Food Tour: $41
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.35
-
Dinner for Two$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making: $7.50
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.57
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.35
- 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
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $22
- Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $22
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Kathmandu $8.03
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Johannesburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
- Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
- Architectural Walking Tour: $19
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
- Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $27
- Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
- Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $30
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
- Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
- A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32
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:
- 4 UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour Nepal: $0.43
- Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
- 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $7.50
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.54
- Private 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites Day Tour: $10
- Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
- Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
- Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
- Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
- Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
- Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
- Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.73Kathmandu $5.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $8.23
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Explore 4 Heritage Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Kathmandu, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johannesburg is in Africa 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 Johannesburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Kathmandu?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg 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.