Which place is cheaper, Basel 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 Basel?
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 Basel 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 Basel?
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.
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesBasel Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $54Basel $309
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Basel is $309. 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 Basel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $34Basel $158
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $68Basel $316
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Basel
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Basel? 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 Basel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $5.98Basel $50
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$1.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Private Airport Transfer to Kathmandu Hotels: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer: $25
- Kathmandu to Pokhara or Pokhara to Kathmandu Private Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Basel - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
- Basel to Basel Airpor (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $89
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $113
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $113
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $113
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $120
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $125
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Luxury Van: $125
- Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) by MB Van: $125
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $125
- Private Transfer Service from Basel to Basel Airport: $126
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Badenweiler - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Basel?
Prices for flights to both Basel 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 $13Basel $116
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.16
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Dinner for Two$2.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $10
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basel
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Basel.
- Self-Guided Food Tour: $49
- Traditional Swiss Dinner: Cheese Fondue, Appetizers/Dessert: $162
- Traditional Swiss Dinner: Cheese Fondue, Appetizers and Dessert: $166
- Cooking Class: Homemade Italian Lasagna Experience by Locals: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $6.92Basel $41
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$1.29
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa: $6.60
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu: $8.00
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Sofa Bus: $11
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Basel Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.58
- Basel Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.14
- Klein Basel Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.14
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.24
- Basel Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $7.37
- Basel Self Guided Walking Tour Old Town and Munster: $8.01
- Basel Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.14
- Responsible Shopping Tour in Basel's Old Town: $9.82
- Gundeli Deliciously Sustainable Tour: $9.82
- Basel's Portrait Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $12
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $4.93Basel $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Colmar Christmas Market & Wine Tasting Small Group: $258
- Alsace wine tour & medieval villages small group guided tour: $368
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Basel, we can see that Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Basel?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Basel, 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.