Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Lake Titicaca (Puno) $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $71. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.10Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
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:
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Private Airport Transfer to Kathmandu Hotels: $12
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $13
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $19
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Kathmandu to Pokhara or Pokhara to Kathmandu Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $8.50
- Inca Manco Capac Airport to Puno or Titicaca Small-Group Transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $22
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $92
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $202
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $211
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $13Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.19
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Dinner for Two$2.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $50
- Yomari and Bara Newari Food Cooking Class Cultural Experience: $50
- Kathmandu Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $52
- Authentic Kathmandu Cooking Class and Guided Market Tour: $59
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.05Lake Titicaca (Puno) $32
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$3.30
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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:
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $8.40
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $9.50
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- KATHMANDU FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (6-hrs): $10
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour with Lunch.: $10
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $10
- Kathmandu to Lumbini Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $10
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 3-Hour Small Group Uros Floating Islands Tour: $8.00
- Uros Floating Island Tour: $10
- Half Day Tour Floating Islands of Uros Puno: $10
- Chullpas Tour of Sillustani Inca Cemetery: $18
- Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour from Puno: $22
- Sillustani Tour from Puno with Lake Umayo: $24
- Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
- Sillustani Tours: $26
- 4h Tour to Sillustani Inca Tombs from Puno: $28
- Sillustani Tombs Half Day Tour from Puno: $28
- Uros Taquile Island Full Day Group Tour from Puno: $29
- Sillustani Half Day Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.02Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
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
- Bar Tour and Pub Crawl Sip Stroll Repeat Thamel Night: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Lake Titicaca (Puno) is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu is in Asia and Lake Titicaca (Puno) is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.