Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also a fairly affordable city by global standards, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
-
Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Kuala Lumpur $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Kuala Lumpur $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Kuala Lumpur $84
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.09Kuala Lumpur $7.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $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: $144
- Private One-Way Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara/Chitwan/Lumbini: $80
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$3.67
-
Metro Ride (for Two)$0.78
-
Short Taxi Ride$3.67
-
Taxi From Airport$22
-
Bus from Airport$1.96
-
Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.94
-
Train to Airport$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Private Transfer From or To All Kuala Lumpur: $15
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $13Kuala Lumpur $30
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.18
-
Dinner for Two$2.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
- 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
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.79
-
Roti Bread$0.24
-
Food Court Lunch$3.52
-
Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour With 15+ Tastings Near KLCC: $42
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 12+ Authentic Dishes & Local Secrets: $54
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $62
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies Tour include Dinner + Free Boat-Ride: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.03Kuala Lumpur $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.32
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
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 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 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 City with Nagarkot Sunrise, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Tour: $236
- 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 and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
-
Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.22
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuala Lumpur at Your Own Pace: The Complete Self-Guided Tour: $1.15
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.38
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets Cable Car Ticket: $6.40
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Guided Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- Kuala Lumpur Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Science Centre Visit Entry Ticket: $9.56
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket: $11
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.01Kuala Lumpur $6.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kuala Lumpur
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kuala Lumpur:
- Hidden Bar Hopping With A Local - Bar Crawl: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur, 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.