Which place is cheaper, Hue or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kathmandu or Hue?
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 Hue 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 Hue?
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.
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Hue $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Hue is $48. 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 Hue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Hue $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Hue $46
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Hue
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Hue? 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 Hue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.95Hue $12
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$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Airport transfer service: $8.35
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu airport transfer service: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer: $25
- Kathmandu to Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) Transfer Service: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
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Cyclo$0.48
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Short Taxi Ride$0.88
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Taxi Ride to Tombs$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Da Nang: Airport Transfer Pick up Service: $5.91
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer - Airport to Hotels or vice versa: $6.75
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $7.10
- Transfer between Hue Hotels and Hue Airport: $7.41
- Private transfer from Phu Bai Airport to Hue city center: $9.30
- Hue city Airport transfer - All Inclusive : $9.60
- Private Transfer: Hue City Center - Hue Train Station: $12
- Hue and Hoi An/ Da Nang City Shuttle Transfer Service: $13
- Private Transfer: Hue City Center to Hue Train Station: $13
- Hue City: Private Transfer to/from Phu Bai International …: $14
- Phu Bai airport to/from Hue City Center - Private Transfer: $14
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer-Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Hue?
Prices for flights to both Hue 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 $8.31Hue $15
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.35
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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.
- Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
- 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
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $22
- Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $22
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
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River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.99
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Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.80
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Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.20
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Private Healthy Cooking Class In Ancient Vietnamese Garden: $20
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Walking street food tour: $30
- Hue : Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Family: $31
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hue: $31
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorcycle with Driver: $33
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $33
- Home Cooking Class in Hue City : $35
- Hue Walking Food Tour: $35
- Best Hue Street Food Tour: $35
- Exploring Hue Food Tour with Local Guide : $35
- Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.04Hue $11
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$1.50
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.76
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.56
- 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
- Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
- Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
- 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $13
- Chitwan To Kathmandu Tourist Bus: $13
- Thamel Rickshaw tour: $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
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Boat Ride$7.79
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.12
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Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.20
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Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $3.82
- Hue City Tour by Private Car & English Speaking Driver: $8.80
- Hue Car Rental: Sightseeing City Day Trip by Car with Driver: $9.23
- Sightseeing Tour Hue to Da Nang By Train: $12
- Sightseeing Travel Bus from Hue to Hoi An: $12
- Discover Vietnamese Cuisine E-Ticket: $15
- Hue Hoi An Bus Tour Sightseeing via Hai Van Pass 4 Stops: $15
- Sightseeing Bus from Hue to Hoi An (Seat in Coach): $15
- Hue Imperial City Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Hue: $16
- From Hue : Full-Day Hue Imperial City Tour with Lunch: $16
- HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR (S.I.C): $16
- Hue : City Highlights Full Day Tour with Lunch: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.77Hue $5.79
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
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Beer$1.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Hue, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Hue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Hue?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Hue, 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.