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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Faro?

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 Faro 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 Faro?

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.

Faro

Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.

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 Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Faro or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, while the average daily cost in Faro is $187. 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 Faro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Faro $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Faro $176
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Faro

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Faro? 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 Faro


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 Faro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.56
    Faro $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
  • Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
  • Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
  • Everest Scenic Flight By Buddha Air with Free Hotel Transfers: $165
  • Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or To Chitwan or To Lumbini & V V: $145
  • Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
  • Kathmandu to Manthali Private Transfer Service: $130
  • Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $124
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
  • Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
  • Kathmandu to Bandipur One Way Transfer by Private AC Car : $85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro

Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Faro Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Faro City Centre: $7.05
  • Faro Airport (FAO): Shared One-Way Albufeira Bus Transfer: $13
  • Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Portimão: $16
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Montenegro/Faro/Estoi: $18
  • Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Lagos: $20
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Quarteira & Vilamoura: $26
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Santa Brabara/Olhão: $33
  • Faro Airport:Private Transfer to Quinta do Lago/Vale do Lobo: $35
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Vilamoura/Quarteira: $37
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to Vilamoura/Quarteira: $41
  • Faro Airport:Private Transfer to São Brás Alportel: $41
  • Faro airport: Private transfers (car up to 4pax): $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Faro?

Prices for flights to both Faro 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 $14
    Faro $73
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Dessert
    $1.28
  • Dinner for Two
    $2.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

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

  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $8.00
  • Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
  • Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights in Kathmandu: $27
  • Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu in Peace & quiet place: $30
  • Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
  • Kathmandu Food Tour : $32
  • Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $34
  • Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
  • Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
  • Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
  • Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
  • Local Cooking Class in Chitwan with Local Style Wood Fire: $65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro

For Faro, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Faro food tour (with drinks) & city highlights - 10 tastings: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.58
    Faro $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.42
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.54
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.42

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

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

  • 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
  • 4-Hour Private Car Sunrise tour over Mount Everest in Nagarkot: $129
  • Discover Kathmandu Valley: A Day Tour Through Time and Tradition: $96
  • Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
  • Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $180
  • Nagarkot & Bhaktapur Tour with Private Transport: $60
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $116
  • "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
  • 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
  • 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
  • 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
  • 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215

Tours and Activities in Faro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.

  • City Sightseeing Tourist Train: $4.70
  • Private & Flexible Walking Tour in Historic Center: $9.40
  • CCVAlgarve Family Ticket | 2 adults + Children: $14
  • Multimedia Museum and Restaurant Tour: $14
  • Faro Story Spot - Multimedia Museum&Restaurant: Tour&Tasting: $23
  • Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Tour: $29
  • FOUR SENSES: The Immersive Experience in the Dark - Faro: $29
  • Faro, Ria Formosa: 2 hour Sunset Cruise: $35
  • Discover Algarve with Vamus 3-Day & 7-Day Tourist Passes: $41
  • Kayak Tour in Ria Formosa - Olhão: $41
  • Best of Faro - Guided Bike Tour (3h): $53
  • From Benagil Cave and Seven Hanging Valleys Trail Tour: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.45
    Faro $3.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:

  • Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65

Sample the Local Flavors in Faro

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:

  • City Segway Tour with Wine Tasting Experience: $106
  • WINE TASTING & TAPAS IN THE HEART OF FARO: $115
  • Algarve Private Wine Tour with Private Transportation: $228


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Faro, we can see that Faro 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 Faro 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro 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 Faro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Faro?

Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Faro, 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.