Which place is cheaper, Hanoi 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 Hanoi?
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 Hanoi 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 Hanoi?
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.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesHanoi Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $54Hanoi $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $58. 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $34Hanoi $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $68Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Hanoi
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Hanoi? 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 Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $5.98Hanoi $6.64
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:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- 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
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.15
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.08
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.31
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Private Transfer from Noi Bai Airport to your Hotel: $7.40
- Private Transfer: Hanoi Airport - Sapa - Halong - Ninh Binh: $7.90
- Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Center and more: $8.00
- Hanoi Private Departure Transfer: City Center Hotel to Airport: $8.13
- HAN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $9.62
- Budget Shared Transfer Noi Bai Airport HAN to Hanoi Hotels: $9.99
- Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
- Hanoi Private Transfer: Hanoi Airport - City - Halong - Ninh Binh: $11
- Hanoi to Noi Bai International Airport Private Transfer: $11
- Bus Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay and Vice Versa: $11
- Private Transfer Between Hanoi Airport and Hanoi Center: $12
- Private car transfer from Hanoi Airport to Hotels: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Hanoi?
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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 $13Hanoi $23
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
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.23
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Bowl of Pho$0.77
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Private Hanoi Cycling Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By Bike: $1.90
- Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.90
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Old Quarter Food & Local Experiences: $19
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $21
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Hidden Local Eats & Full Meal Experience: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $23
- Hanoi Farm-to-Table Cooking Class with Village Cycling: $24
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Experience Guide & Real Foodie: $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $6.92Hanoi $8.20
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.54
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.54
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National History Museum$1.54
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.69
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hanoi Old Quarter Customized City Sightseeing Private Tour: $1.90
- Hanoi City Private Tour With Street Food Experience & Aquarium: $1.90
- Sapa Motorbike Tour: Cat Cat Village, O Quy Ho Pass, Waterfall: $1.90
- Hanoi City Private Tour with Bat Trang Village, Water Puppet Show: $1.90
- Hanoi City Sightseeing Tour: Train Street, Incense Village: $1.90
- Ninh Binh Tour: Trang An, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bai Dinh Pagoda: $1.90
- From Sapa Trek, Cat Cat Village & Fansipan Summit Tour: $1.90
- Hanoi Highlights & Shopping Shore Excursion Tour from Halong Port: $1.90
- Private Hanoi City Sightseeing Shore Excursion From Halong Port: $1.90
- Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Adventure with Easy Rider, Round-Trip Bus: $1.90
- 2-Day Ninh Binh Adventure: Trang An, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Cave: $1.90
- 2-Day Mai Chau & Pu Luong Tour with Trekking & Bamboo Rafting: $1.90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $4.93Hanoi $7.42
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
When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Hanoi, we can see that Hanoi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Hanoi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Hanoi?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Hanoi, 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.