Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu or Beijing?
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 Beijing 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 Beijing?
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.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $61Beijing $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $61, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $89. 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 Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $39Beijing $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $78Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Beijing? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.78Beijing $7.66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer : $87
- Everest Scenic Flight with Transfers – Reserve for $10: $10
- From Lukla Flight Ticket with Shared Transfer: $305
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $145
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
- Kathmandu : Everest Mountain Flight - with Private Transfers: $391
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
-
Taxi$4.68
-
Train from Airport for Two$6.86
-
Taxi to Hotel$8.23
-
2 Metro Passes$2.19
-
Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- From Return Bus Transfer to Badaling Great Wall: $11
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
- Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $22
- Beijing Railway Station Departure Transfer: Hotel/Apartment to Railway Station: $23
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) private transfer.: $25
- Private Airport Pick Up or Drop Off Transfer: $26
- Private One Way Transfer Service from Your Hotels to Train Stations in Beijing: $27
- Private Transfer from Beijing Airport to Hotel: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX) to Hotel: $27
- Private One Way Transfer Services from Train Stations in Beijing to Your Hotels : $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing 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 dayKathmandu $14Beijing $33
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.32
-
Dinner for Two$2.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Hadigaun Kathmandu All-Inclusive Food Tour: $5.00
- Local Women-Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo Class: $5.00
- Local Women-Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo Class: $8.00
- Local Women-Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo Class: $8.00
- Local Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $8.00
- Local Women-Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo Class: $9.00
- Private Cooking class with Pickup and Drop: $15
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $18
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Cooking Class in Nepal: $25
- Nepal: Dinner at a Local Home with a Local Family: $28
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
-
Popcorn$0.82
-
Hot Pot Dinner$6.86
-
Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.74
-
Watermelon$1.92
-
Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
-
Two Popsicles$0.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private : $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- Dumpling Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.83Beijing $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.46
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.66
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.46
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: $0.42
- Private Sightseeing Tour: $2.28
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
- Everest Helicopter Tour through Kalapatthar: $5.00
- Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
- Private/Group Tour to 7 UNESCO Sites with Lunch: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Private/Group Tour to 7 UNESCO Sites with Lunch: $5.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
- Full-Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $5.00
- 7 UNESCO Sites Private with Lunch/Group Day Tour: $5.25
- From 2 Stupas and Kopan Monastery Spiritual Tour: $6.09
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.23
-
Two Opera Tickets$58
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.60
-
Forbidden City (for 2)$16
-
Forbidden City Tickets$16
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- TIAN AN MEN SQUARE AND FORBIDDEN CITY (guided tour): $0.14
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.85
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.03
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.50
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Fast and Smooth: $4.85
- Agent ticket booking service: Temple of heaven: $5.00
- Beijing City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Beijing: $5.78
- Lama Temple Yonghegong Ticket: $6.80
- Temple of Heaven Ticket Booking: $6.80
- ForbiddenCity & Tiananmen Square ticket with guide(optional): $6.99
- Temple of Earth ticket; Serene, Majestic, Ancient: $6.99
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.62Beijing $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $55
- Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65
- Kathmandu Nightlife Tour - Pub Crawl: $114
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Beijing, we can see that Beijing 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Beijing, 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.