A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kathmandu vs. Barcelona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kathmandu or Barcelona?

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 Barcelona 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 Barcelona?

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.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $169. 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 Barcelona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Barcelona $104
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Barcelona $208
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Barcelona

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Barcelona? 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.

Hotels in Kathmandu


Hotels in Barcelona


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 Barcelona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Barcelona $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
  • Private Car Transfer Between Pokhara Airport and Lakeside: $12
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $14
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
  • TIA Kathmandu Airport transfer: $18
  • Kathmandu airport transfer service: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
  • Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfers: $23
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • 10 Trip Metro Ticket
    $8.45
  • Airport Bus
    $5.42
  • Metro
    $2.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:

  • One-Way Shared Transfer to/from Airport and City: $9.05
  • Roca Village Shopping Mall Transfers: $13
  • Transfer departure Shuttle Barcelona Port to Barcelona Airport: $18
  • Barcelona Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Private Transfer: $25
  • Transfer arrival Shuttle Barcelona Airport to La Pineda: $27
  • Barcelona City to Cruise Port Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer: El-Prat Airport (BCN) to Barcelona City Center: $30
  • Arrival Barcelona Airport Private Transfer: $31
  • Barcelona Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $31
  • Barcelona City to Sant Train Station Barcelona private transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Sant Station : $31
  • Taxi-Cab- Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Cruise Terminal: $31

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Barcelona?

Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kathmandu $8.31
    Barcelona $35
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.

  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.58
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.36
  • Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $9.50
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $25
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $27
  • Private Cooking class with Pickup and Drop: $29
  • Cooking class in kathmandu( Women empowerment project): $30

Typical Food Prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Hot Cocoa & Churro
    $4.50
  • Sandwich
    $1.84
  • Baguette & Horchata
    $4.12
  • Tapas on the beach
    $8.97
  • Gelatto
    $2.71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.

  • Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
  • Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
  • Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $32
  • La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $42
  • Valencia: Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $58
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
  • Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.04
    Barcelona $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.76
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • 4 UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour Nepal: $0.43
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.55
  • Privet Day Tours in Kathmandu Nepal : $10
  • Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
  • Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
  • Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
  • Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
  • Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
  • Chitwan To Kathmandu Tourist Bus: $13
  • Thamel Rickshaw tour: $13

Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass
    $45
  • Souvenir Gaudi Book
    $9.26
  • Admission to Museo Picasso
    $6.50

Tours and Activities in Barcelona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:

  • Sagrada Familia: History&Legends Comedy Tour: $2.13
  • Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $2.13
  • History & Legends Comedy Tour: Barcelona Gothic Quarter: $2.93
  • Barcelona Free Tour: Gaudi Highlights and La Sagrada Famila: $3.19
  • Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour in English: $3.19
  • Gaudí Free Tour in English: $3.19
  • Alternative Free Tour of the Raval: $3.19
  • Barcelona Gothic Quarter: History&Legends Comedy Tour: $3.25
  • Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $3.25
  • Gaudí & Sagrada Familia Free Tour in English : $3.26
  • Barcelona Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Tour: $3.26
  • La Rambla and Gothic Quarter tour with audioguide: $3.72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Barcelona $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:

  • Original Pub Crawl: $13
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - The Best Night Out Experience: $16
  • Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Free shot and VIP Entry: $16
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
  • Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
  • Barcelona Halloween Bar Crawl: $27
  • Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu is in Asia and Barcelona 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 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Barcelona, 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.