Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Karachi or Pokhara? 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.
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.
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $19. 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 Pokhara in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Pokhara? 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.
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Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
Prices for flights to both Pokhara 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Pokhara, we can see that Karachi is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Karachi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karachi than you might in Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Pokhara, 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.