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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Podgorica?

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 Podgorica 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 Podgorica?

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.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

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 Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica 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 Podgorica is $112. 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 Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Podgorica $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Podgorica $98
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica


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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Podgorica $21
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:

  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
  • Airport Arrival & Departure Transfer: $18
  • Kathmandu airport transfer service: $19
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
  • Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara: Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer: $23
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer: $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
  • Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $34
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $39
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $41
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port: $47
  • Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $47
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $54
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $54
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
  • Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 $8.30
    Podgorica $43
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • 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.

  • Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making: $7.50
  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.57
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.35
  • 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 $8.03
    Podgorica $22
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 UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour Nepal: $0.43
  • Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
  • 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $7.50
  • City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.54
  • Private 7 UNESCO Heritage Sites Day Tour: $10
  • Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
  • Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
  • Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
  • Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
  • Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
  • Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
  • Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12

Tours and Activities in Podgorica

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

  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.23
  • Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
  • Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $14
  • Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
  • Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
  • Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
  • From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $66
  • Walking tour, all the secrets of Podgorica: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Podgorica $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu

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

  • Explore 4 Heritage Private Tour with Wine Tasting: $75

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $78
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $98
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $121
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $129
  • Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $159
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $197


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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Podgorica?

Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Podgorica, 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.