Which place is cheaper, Rome or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu or Rome?
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 Rome 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 Rome?
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.
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
-
Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesRome Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Rome $240
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Rome is $240. 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 Rome in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Rome $104
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Rome $208
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Rome
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Rome? 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 Rome Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.09Rome $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $193
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- From Everest Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $69
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
-
Metro Ride (for Two)$2.32
-
Train to the Airport$17
-
Taxi to Airport$52
-
Bicycle Rental (Full Day)$12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Bus Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City: $7.00
- Transfer Ciampino Airport - Rome City Center Shuttle Bus: $7.00
- Transfer Rome center - Fiumicino airport: $8.16
- Transfer Ciampino Airport - Rome center: $9.33
- Transfer Fiumicino Airport from/to Vaticano shuttle bus: $9.33
- Bus Transfer from Rome to Milan or Vice Versa: $9.42
- Transfer from Rome to Castel Romano Designer Outlet: $23
- Rome from Civitavecchia Transfer with Optional Open Bus: $30
- Transfer from Civitavecchia by train with Rome HopOnHopOff Option: $30
- Luxury Private Transfer Rome Center to Fiumicino Airport: $47
- Rome Private Transfer with Authentic Italian Breakfast: $47
- Ciampino to Rome transfer: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 dayKathmandu $13Rome $97
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.18
-
Dinner for Two$2.63
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: $9.50
- 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
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Food tour: Food and Drink Tasting with Guide In Kathmandu: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Women Empowerment Project(Nepali cooking class & jewelry workshop: $50
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$16
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches$3.47
-
Cafe e doce$4.64
-
Pizza (Fast Food)$3.08
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$37
-
Cheese and bread$12
-
Espresso$2.32
-
Dinner$67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
- Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Rome Testaccio Market Food Tour Eat Like a Local: $40
- Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
- Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
- Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
- Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $45
- Rome Food Tour: Tastings in the Jewish Ghetto & Campo de' Fiori: $45
- Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $47
- Rome Street Food Tour Eat Like a Local: $51
- Rome's Street Food Tour with Local Tastings & Sightseeing: $52
- Tasty Trastevere Street Food Tour in Rome from Tiberine Island to Ponte Sisto: $52
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.04Rome $42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.32
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- All Seven UNESCO Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley: $5.00
- Kathmandu Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $5.00
- From 2 Stupas & Kopan Monastery Spiritual Tour: $7.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour.: $10
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Sauraha Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $11
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket (Luxury Sofa Seater): $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)$80
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)$38
-
Roma Pass$35
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)$23
-
Segway Tour$87
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $3.49
- Ancient City Walking Tour at Twilight: $4.08
- Colosseum and Roman Forum Sightseeing Area Walking Tour: $4.67
- Historical Walking Tour in Rome City Center with Hidden Gems: $4.67
- Rome Art Walking Tour Who Killed Caravaggio: $4.67
- Audio guided tour of the historic center of Rome: $4.67
- Tour of Rome to Visit the Most Iconic Monuments: $5.00
- Rome Timeless Trail Self Guided Walking Tour with App: $5.50
- Pantheon Rome Entry Ticket: $5.83
- Pantheon Rome Timed Entry Ticket and optional Minerva: $5.83
- Rome Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $5.83
- Rome Pantheon Entry Experience With Audio: $5.83
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.06Rome $21
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 Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.54
-
Pint of Beer$7.36
-
Beer$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Cabaret and Burlesque Show at Rome: $35
- Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
- Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing with gelato in Trastevere: $45
- Art, Wine & Food Experience–The Ultimate Roman Wine Tasting: $47
- Dolce Vita Burlesque show: $58
- Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $58
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience in the Old Town: $61
- Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Food and Wine Tour: $61
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Underground Cellar in Rome: $63
- Wine Tasting Cold cuts and Rare Cheeses in Grotta a Testaccio: $70
- Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $76
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Rome?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Rome, 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.