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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Nha Trang?

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 Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang?

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.

Nha Trang

For the relaxation of a small beach town, plus the energy of a young city, consider Nha Trang, Vietnam. As the most famous seaside town in Vietnam, Nha Trang is certainly livelier than many other beach resort towns. Visiting this part of Vietnam is not for the faint of heart. These people know the meaning of nightlife - and make the night last as long as they can.

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 Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.


Which place is cheaper, Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang is $39. 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 Nha Trang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Nha Trang $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Nha Trang $26
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Nha Trang

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Nha Trang? 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 Nha Trang


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 Nha Trang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Nha Trang $13
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
  • 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
  • One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
  • From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nha Trang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nha Trang:


  • Local Bus Ticket
    $0.12
  • Taxi From Airport
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nha Trang

Also for Nha Trang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Nha Trang airport transfer : $9.00
  • NHA TRANG : Cam Ranh Airport Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City Hotels: $19
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center - Cau Da Port: $19
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang Train Station - Nha Trang Center: $19
  • Cam Ranh Airport - Airport Transportation - Private Transfer: $20
  • Nha Trang to Duyen Ha Resort - Private Transfer: $20
  • Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center to Cau Da/Vinpearl Port: $20
  • Nha Trang to Fusion Resort - Private Transfer: $20
  • Nha Trang to Cam Ranh Riviera Beach Resort - Private Transfer: $20
  • Nha Trang to Vinpearl Resort & Spa Long Beach - Private Transfer: $20
  • Nha Trang to Golden Peak Resort - Private Transfer: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Nha Trang?

Prices for flights to both Nha Trang 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
    Nha Trang $15
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
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $13
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
  • Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $25
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $29

Typical Food Prices in Nha Trang

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Nha Trang:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nha Trang

For Nha Trang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour & Fresh Beer Tasting by Scooter: $62
  • Nha Trang Cooking Class (visiting local market & countryside): $67
  • Viet Garden Cooking Class (Countryside and Market tour): $68
  • Nha Trang Special Sunset River Cruise for sightseeing and nice dinner: $77
  • NhaTrang Private Sunset River Cruise for a nice dinner at a riverside restaurant: $82
  • Nha Trang Half-Day Cooking Class: $85
  • Countryside Private Cooking Class: $87
  • Nha Trang Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
  • Romantic Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
  • Watching Stunning Sunset with Cocktail and Dinner on Luxury Cruise : $92
  • Nha Trang River Cruises and Cooking Class Included Lunch: $95
  • Private Half-Day Cooking Class in Nha Trang with Pick Up: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.04
    Nha Trang $9.51
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:

  • Day tour Namo Buddha : $90
  • Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
  • Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $199
  • One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $110
  • Private Full Day Tour In Kathmandu City: $115
  • Private Full- Day Nagarkot SunriseTour and Bhaktapur( UNESCO) Durbar Square : $90
  • Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
  • "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
  • 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 Rock Climbing Tour near Kathmandu Valley: $190

Typical Entertainment Prices in Nha Trang

For Nha Trang, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Po Ngar Cham Entrance (for Two)
    $1.28
  • Two Rental Lounge Chairs on Beach
    $2.80
  • Vinpearl Land Amusement Park
    $18
  • Fairy Spring Waterfall Entrance
    $0.40
  • Thap Ba Mud Bath
    $3.99
  • Cyclo Tour of City (One Day)
    $9.99

Tours and Activities in Nha Trang

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nha Trang.

  • VinWonders Entry Ticket with Optional Cable Car: $2.95
  • Nha Trang : Combo Monkey Island with Orchids Island Ticket: $17
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Sunset Tour: $19
  • Nha Trang Half Day Tour to Po Nagar and Long Son Pagoda: $22
  • Snorkeling Tour at Coral Reef: $23
  • Nha Trang Island Hopping Tour Snorkeling and Floating Party: $23
  • Island Hopping Tour, Snorkeling & Floating Party: $24
  • City tour by Cyclo: $25
  • Hoi An Impression Theme Park and Memories Show Tickets: $25
  • Nha Trang Snorkeling Tour-Vuongland Travel: $26
  • Trekking Tour Nha Trang-Vuongland Travel: $26
  • Amazing Snorkeling at Mun Island ( Group Tour ): $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Nha Trang $19


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Nha Trang, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Nha Trang?

Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Nha Trang, 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.