Which place is cheaper, Ise or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kathmandu or Ise?
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 Ise 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 Ise?
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.
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Ise $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Ise 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Ise $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Ise $84
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Ise
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Ise? 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 Ise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.95Ise $43
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:
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu - Pokhara Private Transfer by Car/Jeep/Minibus: $120
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport transfer service: $8.35
- Kathmandu Ramechhap Airport Transfer: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $8.31Ise $24
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.04Ise $5.83
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
Tours and Activities in Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shirataki Takigyo Waterfall Meditation Experience in Toba: $29
- Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $39
- Ise Grand Shrine Private Guided Tour: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.77Ise $4.52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Ise, we can see that Ise 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Ise?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Ise, 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.