A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kathmandu vs. London for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kathmandu or London?

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 London 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 London?

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.

London

The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, London or Kathmandu?

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 London is $236. 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 London in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    London $153
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    London $306
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and London

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or London? 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.

Hotels in Kathmandu


Hotels in London


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 London Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    London $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
  • Kathmandu to Chitwan (Sauraha) Private Transfer: $197
  • 3-Day Chitwan Safari Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $180
  • From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
  • One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
  • From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
  • Pokhara: One way transfer To or From Kathmandu: $117
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara transfer by private air conditioned car: $110
  • Kathmandu Airport to Nagarkot Hotel Transfer: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in London

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:


  • Taxi Ride
    $18
  • Heathrow Express
    $22
  • Luggage Storage
    $9.97
  • London Map
    $1.61
  • Oyster Card
    $45
  • Train to Gatwick Airport (2)
    $27
  • Oyster Card
    $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in London

Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bus Transfer between Heathrow Airport & Premier Inn: $7.47
  • Bus Transfer Between Heathrow Airport & Radisson RED: $8.47
  • Transfer Heathrow Airport to/from Renaissance Hotel: $8.47
  • Heathrow Airport to North London Private Transfer: $13
  • Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer from/to Central London: $13
  • Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol: $13
  • Heathrow Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $15
  • Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $17
  • Bus Transfer between Heathrow & Luton Airports: $17
  • Luton Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $17
  • Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $18
  • Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol City Center: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or London?

Prices for flights to both London 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 day
    Kathmandu $8.31
    London $43
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.

  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.58
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.36
  • Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $9.50
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $25
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $27
  • Private Cooking class with Pickup and Drop: $29
  • Cooking class in kathmandu( Women empowerment project): $30

Typical Food Prices in London

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:


  • Lunch at Starbucks
    $16
  • Tea
    $7.47
  • Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
    $49
  • Morning Tea
    $7.91
  • Pastry
    $6.23
  • Sushi Dinner for One
    $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London

For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $34
  • Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
  • Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
  • Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Pizza Making Cookery Class: $52
  • Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $66
  • Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $66
  • No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $67
  • NO DIET CLUB - Bike and Food tour in London !: $67
  • African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $73
  • Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $87
  • Ultimate London Food Tour: Borough Market & Southwark: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.04
    London $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.76
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • Luxury Tourist Bus to Chitwan from Kathmandu : $22
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $117
  • Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
  • "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
  • 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $312
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • 1 Day Volunteer Tour at Orphanage in Kathmandu: $273
  • 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
  • 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
  • 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
  • 1 day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $150

Typical Entertainment Prices in London

For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Two Tickets to a Concert
    $103
  • London Symphony Orchestra
    $43
  • London Pass
    $59
  • Comedy Show
    $9.97

Tours and Activities in London

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.

  • London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $1.07
  • London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.26
  • Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.72
  • Jack the Ripper Self Guided Audio Tour in London: $4.90
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.43
  • Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
  • Camden Town's Quirky Characters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.54
  • Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
  • Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
  • London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
  • The Life and Literature of Charles Dickens: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.55
  • Southbank Photography Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    London $19

Sample the Local Flavors in London

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:

  • 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
  • Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
  • Bombay Sapphire Distillery Tour and Cocktail Ticket: $25
  • London Pub Crawl: $27
  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $28
  • Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
  • Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
  • 2-Hour Historic Pub Tour: $31
  • Balfour Winery, Wine Tasting Masterclass: $32
  • Camden Pub Crawl in London: $32
  • Small Group Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour in London: $32
  • Historical Pub Tour With Scottish Twist: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and London, we can see that London 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 London is in Europe, 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and London, 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.