Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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 Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Koh Phi Phi $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $91. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Koh Phi Phi $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Koh Phi Phi $96
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.07Koh Phi Phi $7.59
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$1.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Lukla Flight Ticket with Sharing Transfer Service: $270
- Everest Scenic Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $239
- Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $185
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $144
- Kathmandu to Lumbini One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $140
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu to Manthali Private Transfer Service: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$16
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Longboat Taxi$3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Phi Phi Island to Phuket Speedboat Transfer: $26
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $27
- Smooth Round Trip Ferry Transfer from Krabi to Phi Phi Island: $37
- Krabi to Phi Phi Island Scenic Round Trip Ferry Transfer Service: $37
- Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $46
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $46
- Phi Phi to Koh Samui Smooth Transfer by Speedboat Bus Catamaran: $55
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $69
- Phuket Phi phi Maya Bay Khai Island Diving Transfer & Buffet: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $13Koh Phi Phi $22
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.18
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Dinner for Two$2.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $40
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $48
- Women Empowerment Project(Nepali cooking class & jewelry workshop: $50
Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.80
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Sit Down Lunch$10
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Casual Lunch$6.31
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Coconut Donut$0.30
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
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Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.01Koh Phi Phi $50
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$1.31
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.28
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.31
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Private Tour from Chitlang to Markhu: $210
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
- 2 Nights 3 Days Chitwan Safari Tour from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $254
- 2 Nights 3 Days Pokhara Tour from Kathmandu: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$9.01
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $14
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Phi Phi Tour with Maya Bay By Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $16
- Phi Phi Half Day Longtail Boat Tour to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $18
- Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $20
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $20
- From Phi Phi: Morning/Afternoon Phi Phi Island Tour Longtail Boat: $21
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $24
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.00Koh Phi Phi $6.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$15
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Banana Daiquiri$6.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Koh Phi Phi?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 1440 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Koh Phi Phi, 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.