A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kathmandu vs. Khao Yai National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kathmandu or Khao Yai National Park?

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 Khao Yai National Park 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 Khao Yai National Park?

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.

Khao Yai National Park

Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.

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 Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Kathmandu?

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

  • Kathmandu Prices
    Nepal Prices
    Khao Yai National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kathmandu $59
    Khao Yai National Park $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Khao Yai National Park $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Khao Yai National Park? 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 Khao Yai National Park


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.56
    Khao Yai National Park $16
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:

  • Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
  • Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer : $25
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
  • Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
  • Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $124
  • Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or To Chitwan or To Lumbini & V V: $145
  • Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
  • Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
  • Private Airport Transfers – TIA Kathmandu Arrival & Departure: $15
  • Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park 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
    Khao Yai National Park $33
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.58
    Khao Yai National Park $10
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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.45
    Khao Yai National Park $13

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


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