Which place is cheaper, Malaga or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu or Malaga?
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 Malaga 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 Malaga?
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.
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Malaga $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Malaga is $150. 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 Malaga in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Malaga $80
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Malaga $160
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Malaga
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Malaga? 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 Malaga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.95Malaga $33
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 - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Airport Arrival & Departure Transfer: $18
- Kathmandu airport transfer service: $19
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Málaga Airport (AGP): $19
- Private Transfer from Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Malaga hotels: $19
- Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Málaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Malaga Cruise Port to Malaga hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Malaga airport (AGP) to Torremolinos: $39
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Malaga?
Prices for flights to both Malaga 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 dayKathmandu $8.30Malaga $37
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.35
-
Dinner for Two$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making: $7.50
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.57
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.35
- 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
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $22
- Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $22
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
-
Dinner for 2$32
-
Dinner for 2$47
-
Breakfast for 2$8.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.03Malaga $33
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:
- 4 UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour Nepal: $0.43
- Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
- 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $7.50
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.54
- Private 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites Day Tour: $10
- Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
- Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
- Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
- Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
- Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
- Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
- Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos$7.61
-
Concert$33
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.37
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.09
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.89
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $9.83
- Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour: $11
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- City Sightseeing Benalmadena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
- Private Guided Tour to the only coffee farm in Europe: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.77Malaga $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Explore 4 Heritage Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $75
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Malaga, we can see that Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Malaga?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Malaga, 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.