Which place is cheaper, Hanoi or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Hanoi $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $49. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Hanoi $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Hanoi $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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.95Hanoi $6.89
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:
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- From Kathmandu To Ramechhap Airport - Private Transfer: $171
- From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $14
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Ramechhap Airport Transfer: $31
- Kathmandu airport transfer service: $19
- Kathmandu to Dharapani Transfer - Way to Annapurna Circuit: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
-
Taxi to Bus Station$1.20
-
Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.20
-
Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.40
-
Short Taxi Ride$1.36
-
Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Amazing Hanoi Private TransferTaxi-Cheap Vietnam SimCard Internet: $6.90
- Hanoi Private Car Airport Transfer To Hotel: $7.15
- Hanoi Private Departure Transfer: City Center Hotel to Airport: $8.00
- Noi Bai International Airport Private Transfer: $8.17
- Noi Bai Airport Transfer Service: $8.54
- Private Noi Bai International Airport Transfer: $11
- Private Transfer from Hanoi Airport HAN to Old Quarter : $13
- Hanoi Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Bus transfer Ha Noi - Cat Ba: $14
- Hanoi Airport and Hanoi City Private Transfer: $14
- Nội Bài International Airport Private Transfer: $14
- Private Noi Bai International Airport Transfer: $14
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
-
Food Meals for one dayKathmandu $8.31Hanoi $13
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: $8.56
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.34
- 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
- Nepali and Newari Cooking Class with Optional …: $22
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $25
- Cooking Class with Special Day Celebration in Thamel: $27
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
-
High End Dinner (for Two)$12
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.39
-
Bowl of Pho$0.80
-
Italian Dinner (for Food)$6.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $5.00
- Private Traditional Vietnamese Food Cooking Class in Hanoi : $5.00
- Hanoi free food tour - Old Quarter food walking tour: $5.00
- Street Food Tour (Group/Individual): $5.11
- Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $22
- Hanoi street food tour small group tour: $22
- Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Vietnamese Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $23
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.04Hanoi $8.51
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:
- Discover Kathmandu on a day cycling tour! (Minimum 4 people): $0.19
- Kathmandu Heritage Sightseeing Tour: $1.01
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- Nepal: Kathmandu City Flavors Guided Walking Tour: $7.79
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.54
- Privet Day Tours in Kathmandu Nepal : $10
- Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
- Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
- Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
- Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
- Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Puppet Theater$1.60
-
The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.60
-
National History Museum$1.60
-
Puppet Theater Ticket$2.80
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus Ticket Cat Ba - Hanoi ( Bus+ Ferry ) - Best Selling: $0.02
- Culture Exchange with Free Private Tour Guide: $3.58
- Skip the Line: Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Entrance Tickets: $4.90
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City: $5.00
- Half Day Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Early Morning Tour | Free Private Tour Guide: $5.11
- CUSTOMIZED Walking tour (Evening): $5.11
- Museum Tour - Unveiling Stories of the Past: $5.11
- Old Quarter Private Walking Tour: $5.11
- From Duong Lam Ancient Village Tour: $5.11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.77Hanoi $7.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hanoi Beer and Brewery Tour: $48
- Pub Crawl Party & Hanoi's nightlife: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Hanoi, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Hanoi.
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.