Which place is cheaper, Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest?
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 Everest 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 Everest?
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 Everest
More commonly known as Mount Everest, Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world with a peak reaching 8,848 meters above sea level. Pilgrims trek long distances to worship its divine aura, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude, and visitors from all over come to see where the tallest reaches of earth meet the heavens.
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 in Nepal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nepal.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesMount Everest Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $62Mount Everest $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $62, while the average daily cost in Mount Everest is $58. 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 Everest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Mount Everest $6.74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Mount Everest $13
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Mount Everest
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Mount Everest? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.85Mount Everest -
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$1.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Private Kathmandu Airport Transfer - One-way transfer: $7.00
- Mount Everest Scenic Tour by Plane with Transfers: $11
- Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
- Kathmandu airport transfer service: $19
- 1 Hours Mountain Flight with Private Transfer: $19
- Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara in Deluxe Tourist AC Sofa Bus: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival Transfer(Airport-Hotel): $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Mount Everest?
Prices for flights to both Mount Everest 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 $14Mount Everest $45
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.33
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Dinner for Two$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Nepali Cooking Class with Momo Making & Pickup: $4.99
- Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making with Pickup: $5.00
- Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $6.00
- Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $8.00
- Traditional Nepali Cooking & Momo Making Class: $9.00
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $14
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $18
- Nepali and Newari Cooking Class with Optional …: $21
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Cooking Class in Nepal: $25
- Private Half -Day Cooking Class with Meals: $26
- Private Nepali Cooking Class (Dal Bhat and MoMo): $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.92Mount Everest $18
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$1.48
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.70
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.48
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: $0.42
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- Bhaktapur and Nagarkot Day Tour with Guide: $9.59
- Kathmandu Private Day Tour: Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: $10
- Private Kathmandu Day Tour: 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites Tour: $10
- Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $11
- Tourist Bus Service: Kathmandu-Pokhara Luxury Sofa: $12
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
- Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
- Nagarkot Sunrise View Private Tour: $12
- Chandragiri Temple Tour with Monkey Temple (Swyambhunath): $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.69Mount Everest -
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $33
When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Mount Everest, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Everest Expensive?.
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.