Which place is cheaper, Lima or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Lima 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.
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.
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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 Lima in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Lima? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
Prices for flights to both Lima 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Lima has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Lima, 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.