Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Kyoto $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $111. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Kyoto $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Kyoto $124
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.09Kyoto $7.35
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$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $185
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $8.00
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $77
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $106
- Kyoto Station to Kyoto City Private Transfer: $122
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $123
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $123
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $126
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $138
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $153
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $13Kyoto $40
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$2.63
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $41
- Kyoto Izakaya Hopping: Pontocho & Gion Local Food Tour: $47
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $52
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class Okonomiyaki and Japanese Cuisines: $52
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- T9 Kyoto Night Food Tour in Gion and Pontocho: $64
- Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $69
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $70
- Dinner with Maiko: $70
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.03Kyoto $13
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$1.32
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Chitwan: $9.50
- Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $10
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
- Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
- VIP Sofa Tourist Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $11
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $11
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $11
- Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Pokhara (Luxury Sofa Seat): $11
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hidden Temples in Kyoto a Self-Guided Zen Tour: $1.15
- Kyoto Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Kyoto Self Guided Walking Tour Gion Alleys with Audio and Quiz: $6.59
- Tea Ceremony Experience (includes Matcha grinding demonstration): $8.25
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Ticket 360 Degree Observation Deck Kyoto: $10
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $15
- Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
- Kyoto Traditional Kintsugi Repair Experience in Central Kyoto: $16
- Ticket to Sake Tasting Night in Fushimi: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.01Kyoto $12
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Nightlife Pub Crawl with Drinks and Karaoke: $27
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- Kyoto Night Pub Crawl: Pontocho & Gion Hidden Alley Bars Tour: $41
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $81
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $83
- Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery: $88
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $95
- Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $110
- Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit: $141
- Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access: $156
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Kyoto, 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.