Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Kuala Lumpur $72
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Kuala Lumpur $6.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Attractions: $7.84
- Exclusive Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $14
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer Services: $15
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer : $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer KLIA1 / KLIA2: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $11Kuala Lumpur $15
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: $93
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Malaysian Culture and Street Food Tour : $44
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $50
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $59
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Kuala Lumpur $13
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $194
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.92
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.61
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $9.81
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.81
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Suburbs and Batu Caves Half-Day Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Kuala Lumpur $6.21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Kuala Lumpur?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Karachi or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Karachi during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Karachi often gets less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Kuala Lumpur. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Karachi is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Kuala Lumpur. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
In January, Karachi is generally cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Karachi
| Karachi | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.