Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kathmandu or Bangkok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Bangkok can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Kathmandu or Bangkok?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Bangkok $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $103. 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 Kathmandu and Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Bangkok $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Bangkok $98
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Bangkok? 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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.09Bangkok $6.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $193
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- From Everest Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $69
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Kathmandu to Bandipur One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.46
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Skytrain Ticket$4.91
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.98
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.67
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Short Taxi Ride$2.76
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Boat Taxi$1.53
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Trains to airport$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Gems Gallery Phuket with Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $1.89
- Gems Gallery Bangkok with Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $2.36
- Erawan Museum Admission Ticket with Transfer: $13
- Museum of Contemporary Art Moca Bangkok Entry Ticket and transfer: $14
- Private Transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK): $15
- Private Departure Transfer : Bangkok Hotel to BKK/DMK airport: $15
- BKK Airport Private Transfer to Bangkok Hotel (Toll Included): $17
- Private transfer from Hotel in Bangkok to BKK Airport: $17
- Shared Airport Transfer: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Bangkok Hotel: $19
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $19
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Private Transfer – Toll Included: $19
- Bangkok Airport(BKK) to Bangkok hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok and Kathmandu 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 dayKathmandu $13Bangkok $36
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.18
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Dinner for Two$2.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Women Empowerment Project(Nepali cooking class & jewelry workshop: $50
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.14
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.38
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.92
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.14
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Pad Thai$2.15
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $27
- Bangkok Sawasdee Sunset Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM+Beer FreeFlow: $27
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Meridian Sunset Cruise Dinner Buffet from Bangkok: $28
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $28
- Alangka Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $30
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Pink Chili - Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Bangkok: $31
- Bangkok The Luxury White Sunset or Dinner Cruise (Asiatique Pier): $31
- Bangkok Newest Luxury Noah Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: $31
- Hands-On Thai Cooking Class Bangkok with Local Chef (Small Group): $33
- The Planet Cruise Bangkok Sunset Dinner on Chao Phraya River: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.04Bangkok $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.32
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- All Seven UNESCO Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley: $5.00
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
- From 2 Stupas & Kopan Monastery Spiritual Tour: $7.00
- Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $9.50
- Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour.: $10
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Monkey Temple - Swayambhunath Tour - Private/Small Group: $11
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Premium sofa bus ticket: $12
- Kathmandu to Chitwan luxurious tourist bus tickets reservation: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.91
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.53
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.14
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.60
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.07
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Chao Phraya Tourist Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat from Bangkok: $6.29
- Bangkok Walking Tour 2h40 and 22 audio reviews: $6.76
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $6.99
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Bangkok Art and Culture Hidden Gems Self Guided Audio Tour: $8.80
- Space and Time Cube Tickets in Bangkok: $9.43
- Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Tickets: $9.87
- Bangkok Erawan Museum Ticket (NON-THAI): $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.06Bangkok $5.52
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok Nightlife: Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk & Bar Crawl Party: $28
- GoGo Bar Crawl With Party Vehicle and Party Guide: $63
- Bangkok Bar Crawl by Tuk Tuk: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Bangkok, 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.
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.