Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Cartagena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Cartagena?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Karachi and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Cartagena? 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Cartagena $7.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.97
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.19
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Cartagena $9.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Cartagena $9.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia and Cartagena is in South America, 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Cartagena?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Cartagena, 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.
When is the best time to visit Karachi or Cartagena?
Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Karachi or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Karachi is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In October, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Karachi is cooler than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karachi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagena. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Karachi during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the spring, Karachi is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the spring, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cartagena. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Karachi
| Karachi | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.