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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Mount Bromo?

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 Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo?

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.

Mount Bromo

Mt. Bromo is the most famous active volcano in East Java at 2,329 meters high. Most visit Mt. Bromo to see the spectacular sunrise over the Tenggar-Caldera. Cemoro Lawang is the most popular town where tourists stay while visiting. Be prepared with cash ahead of time, as you'll have a hard time finding an ATM in town.

While you may be accustomed to warmer weather in other cities on the island, the highlands of Mt. Bromo will require that you dress warmly, if only for the night and early morning that you're there to see the sunrise, as temperatures may drop to freezing. There are many vendors selling hats and gloves if you need them.

Daytime temperatures, on the other hand, are much warmer in high 60s. Note that wet season takes place from November to March, and the months of January and February experience the heaviest rains and even flooding.

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 Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo is $22. 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 Mount Bromo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Mount Bromo $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Mount Bromo $22
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Mount Bromo

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Mount Bromo? 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 Mount Bromo


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Mount Bromo $7.31
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:

  • Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Transfers: $1,999
  • Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
  • 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
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara: One Way Private Transfer: $156
  • Everest Mountain flight by a plane with Transfer: $156
  • Everest Mountain Flight with Private Transfers: $156
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Mount Bromo?

Prices for flights to both Mount Bromo 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
    Mount Bromo $5.32
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.

  • Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.04
    Mount Bromo $8.20
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 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
  • Day tour Namo Buddha : $90
  • Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
  • Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $199
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $110
  • 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $312
  • 1 Day Everest base camp helicopter tour: $2,146
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • 1 Day Rock Climbing Tour near Kathmandu Valley: $190
  • 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
  • 1 day Kathmandu World Heritage guided tour group join : $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Mount Bromo $4.61


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Mount Bromo, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Mount Bromo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Bromo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Bromo 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Mount Bromo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Mount Bromo Expensive?.