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 $54Kyoto $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $109. 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 $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Kyoto $122
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 $6.04Kyoto $7.28
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$1.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer — Private Pickup or Drop: $17
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Kathmandu to Besisahar One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
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
- Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $109
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $122
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $122
- Kyoto Station to Kyoto City Private Transfer: $122
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $139
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $155
- Osaka Hotel Private Transfer to or from Kyoto Hotel: $206
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $225
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$1.17
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Dinner for Two$2.61
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
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $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
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto:Exclusive Geisha(Maiko) Show with Dinner, Games & Open Bar: $32
- Kyoto Izakaya Hopping: Pontocho & Gion Local Food Tour: $46
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $51
- Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe Night Parade Dinner Party: $52
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- T9 Kyoto Night Food Tour in Gion and Pontocho: $64
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $67
- Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $70
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $71
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $6.98Kyoto $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$1.30
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.26
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.30
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride and Monkey Temple Tour Private orGroup: $5.00
- Kathmandu Heritage Highlights: Best of Kathmandu Private Day Tour: $8.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Kathmandu City Tour: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Chitwan to Pokhara Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Private sightseeing Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
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: $3.56
- Kyoto Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $6.43
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.08
- Tea Ceremony Experience (includes Matcha grinding demonstration): $8.18
- Kyoto Self Guided Walking Tour Gion Alleys with Audio and Quiz: $8.33
- Kyoto Traditional Kintsugi Repair Experience in Central Kyoto: $8.52
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Ticket 360 Degree Observation Deck Kyoto: $10
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $10
- Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour: $10
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $4.97Kyoto $12
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
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: $33
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $76
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $80
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $82
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $96
- Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $109
- Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit: $141
- Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access: $154
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
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.