Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Zurich? 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Zurich $271
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $271. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Zurich $171
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Zurich $342
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Zurich $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer From Hotel To Zurich Airport or Vice Versa: $56
- Private One-way Airport Transfer Zurich Airport To/From Zurich: $65
- Noumea Cruise Port to Noumea hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $71
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $76
- Private Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH in Business Car: $82
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Grindelwald/Wengen - Arrival Transfer: $87
- Private Transfer From Hotel in Zurich To Zurich Airport: $88
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport To Hotel in Zurich: $88
- Private Zurich Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich in Luxury Van: $91
- Private Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH in Luxury Van: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $11Zurich $62
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 Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Zurich $36
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 Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $5.52
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.40
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
- Zurich Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.46
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.95
- Fun adventure tour of Outdoor Escape Game: $8.60
- Historical Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through the city of 1,000 Fountains: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zürich: Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Zurich $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $33
- Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Zurich?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Zurich, 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 Zurich?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Karachi or Zurich in the Summer?
Both Zurich and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Karachi is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Zurich averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Zurich. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Zurich. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Zurich in the Autumn?
Both Zurich and Karachi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
In October, Karachi is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Zurich. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Zurich in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Zurich. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. Karachi is much warmer than Zurich in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Zurich. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Zurich in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Zurich. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Karachi is much warmer than Zurich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Zurich averages at about 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the spring, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Zurich. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Karachi
| Karachi | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.