Which place is cheaper, London or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Karachi or London?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or London? 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 London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26London $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in London is $238. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11London $154
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22London $308
Compare Hotels in Karachi and London
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58London $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
-
Taxi Ride$18
-
Heathrow Express$23
-
Luggage Storage$10
-
London Map$1.62
-
Oyster Card$45
-
Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$27
-
Oyster Card$34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow Airport & Premier Inn: $7.53
- Transfer Heathrow Airport to/from Renaissance Hotel: $8.53
- Bus Transfer Between Heathrow Airport & Radisson RED: $8.53
- Heathrow Airport to North London Private Transfer: $13
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer from/to Central London: $13
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol: $15
- Heathrow Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $15
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $16
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $17
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow & Luton Airports: $17
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol City Center: $17
- Luton Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKarachi $11London $43
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
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
-
Lunch at Starbucks$16
-
Tea$7.53
-
Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$49
-
Morning Tea$7.97
-
Pastry$6.27
-
Sushi Dinner for One$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Self-guided food tour: $5.76
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $53
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $68
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $74
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $88
- Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07London $41
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: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Two Tickets to a Concert$104
-
London Symphony Orchestra$43
-
London Pass$59
-
Comedy Show$10
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.26
- London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
- Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.77
- Jack the Ripper Self Guided Audio Tour in London: $4.91
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.45
- Soho's Contribution to Health Care History Walking Audio Tour: $5.48
- Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
- Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
- Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
- Camden Town's Quirky Characters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.54
- London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
- Secret An audio tour about the heritage of the city's Russian immigrants: $5.54
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35London $19
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Self Guided Audio Tour in London Old Pub Crawl: $7.63
- Fun London Pub Crawl Treasure Hunt with 20% off ALL drinks!: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Haunted London Pub Walking Tour: $20
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $24
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Guided Historic Pub Tour (London): $27
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and London, we can see that London 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 London is in Europe, 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or London?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of London. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and London, 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 London?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Karachi or London in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as London. Additionally, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Karachi is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 30°C (86°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In the summer, Karachi often gets less sunshine than London. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in July than London. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Karachi or London in the Autumn?
Both London and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Karachi is much warmer than London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than London. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Karachi or London in the Winter?
Both London and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
London can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Karachi is much warmer than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karachi in January average around 19°C (66°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than London. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in January than London. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Karachi or London in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and London. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Karachi is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than London. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Karachi
| Karachi | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.