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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Santo Domingo?

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 Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo?

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.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.

Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo 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 $55, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $107. 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 Santo Domingo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $35
    Santo Domingo $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $70
    Santo Domingo $86
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Santo Domingo

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Santo Domingo? 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 Santo Domingo


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 Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.09
    Santo Domingo $4.92
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:

  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $8.00
  • Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
  • Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
  • 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 Private Transfer Service: $17
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
  • Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $12
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ): $17
  • Santo Domingo Airport: One-Way or Round Trip Transfers: $20
  • Experience at the Museo del Ron Dominicano, Private Transfer.: $28
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $29
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $29
  • Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $30
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $36
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $36
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $36
  • Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Private Transfer: $39
  • Las Galeras / Samana to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Santo Domingo?

Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo 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
    Santo Domingo $57
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: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
  • Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
  • Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $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
  • Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
  • Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
  • Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
  • Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
  • Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santo Domingo

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

  • Cooking Class in Santo Domingo:6 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $42
  • Food Tour & Paradise Beach Day with Drinks: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $7.03
    Santo Domingo $15
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:

  • Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
  • Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
  • Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
  • Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Chitwan: $9.50
  • Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
  • Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
  • Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $10
  • Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $10
  • VIP Sofa Tourist Bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $11
  • Chitwan to Pokhara Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $11
  • Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Pokhara (Luxury Sofa Seat): $11
  • Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $11

Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

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


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $45

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

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

  • The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
  • The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
  • Tour a las Mejores Playas del Caribe: $5.00
  • Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
  • Tainos 4D Experience in Santo Domingo's Colonial City: $6.00
  • Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
  • Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Tastings: $20
  • Colonial Zone Tour with tasting: $20
  • Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Coffee: $20
  • Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
  • Santo Domingo Tuk Tuk Experience: $25
  • Colonial Experience Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.01
    Santo Domingo $8.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu

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

  • Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50


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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Santo Domingo?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Santo Domingo, 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.