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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Paris?

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 Paris 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 Paris?

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.

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Paris or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Paris is $307. 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 Paris in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $35
    Paris $177
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $70
    Paris $354
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Paris

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Paris? 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 Paris


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 Paris Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.04
    Paris $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Lukla Flight Ticket with Sharing Transfer Service: $270
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
  • Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
  • Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
  • Mount Everest Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat & Transfers: $190
  • Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $180
  • Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
  • Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $158
  • Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
  • Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    $7.41
  • Train from Airport
    $10
  • Metro tickets
    $7.88
  • Train
    $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

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

  • Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports DISNEYLAND: $24
  • Private round trip transfer from/to Paris airports: $24
  • Paris CDG Airport to and from Paris City and Disneyland Transfer: $35
  • Paris Private Transfer: One-Way City Ride: $38
  • Notre Dame Interior and Exterior tour with Optional transfer: $42
  • Paris Private Airport Transfers - Comfort Cars: $43
  • CDG/ORY Airport Private Transfer to/from Paris City Center: $45
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Paris Train Station to Hotel: $45
  • Paris Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Train Station: $48
  • Private Transfer CDG Airport→ Disneyland by Sedan: $48
  • ORY Airport Private Transfer ⇄ City Center/Disneyland: $48
  • CDG Airport Private Transfer ⇄ City Center/Disneyland: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Paris?

Prices for flights to both Paris 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 $13
    Paris $84
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.17
  • Dinner for Two
    $2.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.

  • Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $10
  • Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
  • Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
  • Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
  • Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
  • Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
  • Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
  • Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
  • Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
  • Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36

Typical Food Prices in Paris

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


  • Ice Cream
    $9.27
  • Breakfast
    $8.11
  • Breakfast for 2
    $34
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    $100
  • Dinner
    $66
  • Cheese
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

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

  • Paris Marais Walking Food Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.73
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $68
  • Paris Seine River dinner cruise from Alexandre III bridge: $70
  • Award Winning Paris Secret Food Tour with Cheese, Wines & Stories: $77
  • Paris Vegan Street Food Tour: $77
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris: $77
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $77
  • Paris Food Tour: $82
  • Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $85
  • Paris Bakery Food Tour Chocolate Macarons and 10 Sweet Tastings: $88
  • 100% Vegetarian Paris Food Tour in Le Marais Full Meal: $94
  • Montmartre Pastries and Chocolate Food Tour with 6 plus Tastings: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.98
    Paris $88
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.30
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.26
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.30

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:

  • 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
  • 1 Day Kathmandu 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
  • 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
  • 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
  • 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
  • 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
  • 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
  • 2 Day Kathmandu City with Nagarkot Sunrise, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Tour: $236
  • 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
  • 2 Days Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
  • 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
  • 2 Night 3 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $235

Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

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


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    $21
  • Admission to Pantheon
    $5.79
  • Catacombs (2)
    $27

Tours and Activities in Paris

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

  • Paris Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour: $1.78
  • Paris Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $2.38
  • Paris Montmartre Self-Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt: $2.86
  • Paris Le Marais Self Guided Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $2.86
  • Montmartre Walking Tour: Artists & the Soul of Paris: $3.56
  • Montmartre in Depth Art History and Bohemian Life Tour: $3.56
  • Free Perfume Museum & Opera District Tour in English: $3.56
  • Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based): $3.56
  • Paris Hidden Gems: Self Guided Secret Spots Tour: $3.56
  • Paris Notre-Dame Tour with Scheduled Group Access: $3.57
  • Free Tour of the Historic Center of Paris in Spanish: $3.57
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Paris: $4.75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $4.97
    Paris $28

Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:

  • Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75

Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • The Original Pub Crawl + Free Shots + VIP Club Entry: $20
  • Paris Pub Crawl : Bars with Club Entry and Shots: $30
  • Paris International Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Fun Games: $30
  • Paris Montmartre Cheese Charcuterie Wine Tasting with Audio Tour: $30
  • Paris Guided Pub Crawl with Bars Shots and Club Entry: $32
  • Visit and tasting at the distillery L'Alambic Parisien: $33
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $42
  • Guided Tour of Montmartre with Cheese and Wine Tasting: $43
  • Paris A burlesque cabaret in a former brothel: $44
  • Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise & l'Atelier des lumières: $54
  • Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise: $54
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Paris, we can see that Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Paris, 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.