Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 Madrid?
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 Madrid 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 Madrid?
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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesMadrid Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $54Madrid $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $184. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $34Madrid $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $68Madrid $176
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Madrid? 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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $5.98Madrid $21
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$1.29
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 Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Everest Scenic Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $239
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat &Transfer: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $190
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $168
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $27
- Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $46
- Private Transfer from Madrid Airport: $48
- Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $48
- Private Transfers Madrid Airport to Central Madrid: $49
- Private Transfer From Madrid to Atocha Station in Madrid: $54
- Private Transfer From Madrid to Chamartín Station in Madrid: $54
- Private Transfer From Atocha Station in Madrid to Madrid: $54
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Madrid Airport: $62
- Private Transfer from Novelda to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
- Private Transfer from San Vicente del Raspeig to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 $13Madrid $67
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.16
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Dinner for Two$2.59
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
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.28
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Ice Cream$3.42
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Kebabs (for 2)$18
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Croissant$1.71
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Madrid Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $56
- Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $68
- Madrid Paella Cooking Class with Unlimited Sangría: $69
- Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $73
- Small-Group Food Tour with Local Tapas & Spanish Wine: $79
- Madrid History Food Tour: Tapas & Drinks Tasting: $86
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $90
- Small-Group Food Tour with Tapas, Wine & Vermouth: $90
- Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food Tour: $90
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $92
- 100% Hands-on Cooking Class Paella Tapas Sangria in Madrid: $97
- Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $6.92Madrid $38
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$1.29
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu: $70
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Kathmandu 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $155
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.42
- Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only): $3.42
- Walking Tour of Madrid Modern: $3.43
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.58
- A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption: $5.00
- Madrid Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Surreal Adventure Game: $5.99
- Madrid Old Town Self Guided Tour with Mobile App: $5.99
- Madrid Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $6.01
- The Red Thread of Resistance Madrid Podcast Tour: $6.85
- Let's Tapear! The Madrid Tapas Route Walking Audio Tour: $7.35
- Real Jardin Botanico Skip The Line Tickets: $8.24
- Manzanares River’s Story: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Madrid: $9.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $4.93Madrid $22
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 & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.69
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub Crawl Madrid Adventure bars with Open bar and VIP Club Entry: $16
- Madrid Pub Crawl: Club Entry, Bars & Shots: $19
- Madrid Pub Crawl: $28
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid: $34
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $53
- Rooftop Bar Crawl Madrid Experience: $74
- Toledo Tour & Vineyard Experience with Wine Tasting from Madrid: $86
- Madrid Non-Touristy Tapas & Wine Tour – Authentic Local Food: $86
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $89
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour with Rooftop Views and Local Guide: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Madrid, 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.