Which place is cheaper, Mount Everest or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Mount Everest $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Mount Everest is $40. 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 $6.83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Mount Everest $14
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 $6.94Mount 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$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfer: International Airport Pick up and drop: $12
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu airport transfer service: $18
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer: $22
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle : $25
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
- One way Private Car Transfer To/From Kathmandu and Pokhara: $27
- Kathmandu Ramechhap Airport Transfer: $28
- Kathmandu to Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) Transfer Service: $30
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 $8.29Mount Everest $26
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.35
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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.
- Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making with Pickup: $7.50
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.55
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.33
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $12
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
- Cooking Class in Nepal: $20
- Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $22
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Private Half -Day Cooking Class with Meals: $27
- Private Nepali Cooking Class (Dal Bhat and MoMo): $27
- Nepali Cooking Classes: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.02Mount 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$1.50
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.75
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
- 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $7.50
- From Nagarkot Sunrise View Private Tour: $7.77
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.52
- Privet Day Tours in Kathmandu Nepal : $10
- Nagarkot Sunrise View Tour and Changunarayan Hike: $10
- Private 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites Day Tour: $10
- Luxury Tourist Bus Ticket to Pokhara: Premium VIP Bus: $10
- Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
- Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
- Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.76Mount Everest -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Mount Everest, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Mount Everest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Everest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Everest 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 Everest.
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.