Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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 Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesReykjavik Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $56Reykjavik $298
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $56, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $298. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Reykjavik $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Reykjavik $310
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Reykjavik? 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 and Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.14Reykjavik $51
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$1.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Trishuli River Rafting Day Trip from Kathmandu with Transfers: $279
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $12
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Transfer to Bhaktapur from Kathmandu: $65
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $144
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Reykjavik/Keflavik Airport: 1-Way Blue Lagoon Transfer: $31
- Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $38
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Center in Iceland: $39
- Reykjavik/Keflavik: Sky Lagoon Private Transfer: $46
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Reykjavik Hotels: $52
- Iceland Airport Transfer from Reykjavík Hotels to KEF Airport: $52
- From Reykjavík: Private Transfer From OR To Blue Lagoon: $59
- Roundtrip Bus Transfer to the Blue Lagoon: $59
- Reykjavík/Keflavík–Blue Lagoon, Silica & Retreat Transfer: $67
- Keflavik Airport (KEF): Private Transfer to/from Reykjavik: $70
- Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn): $70
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 $14Reykjavik $58
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.19
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Dinner for Two$2.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- 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
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$198
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $137
- Food Tour by locals: $140
- Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $146
- Icelandic Food Tour: $147
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $147
- 3-Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Reykjavík Food Tour with 5 Authentic Local Tastings & Secret Dish: $151
- Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
- Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
- Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals: $203
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.09Reykjavik $80
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$1.33
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.32
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.33
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 Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 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 Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 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 Nights 3 Days Chitwan Safari Tour from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $254
- 2 Nights 3 Days Chitwan Tour from Kathmandu: $294
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$32
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour in Reykjavik: $5.00
- A Self-Guided Thingvellir National Park Walking Tour: $8.99
- TOP Iceland : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $21
- Reykjavik Art Museum Entry Ticket: $21
- Volcano Express Entry Ticket at Harpa: $24
- Mosfellsbæ: Authentic Icelandic Wool Yarn Factory Tour: $26
- Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket: $29
- Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $29
- Volcano Express Iceland Admission Ticket: Immersive Experience: $32
- Saga Museum Entry Ticket: $33
- Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance Ticket: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.06Reykjavik $31
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 Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$9.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $48
- Craft Beer and Brewery Tour in Iceland: $48
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
- Icelandic Bar Crawl and Karaoke Experience: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Reykjavik?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Reykjavik, 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.
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.