Which place is cheaper, Seattle 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle 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 Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesSeattle Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Seattle $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $242. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Seattle? 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 Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.10Seattle $30
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$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Private Airport Transfer to Kathmandu Hotels: $12
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $13
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $19
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Kathmandu to Pokhara or Pokhara to Kathmandu Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- Transfer Pier 91 to International SeaTac Airport One Way: $27
- Private Transfer from Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport SEA: $36
- SEA Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $37
- Seattle Cruise Port Transfer – Van & SUV Service (Pier 66 & 91): $37
- Port Of Seattle Cruiseport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 PAX: $44
- Seattle to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Seattle - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport private transfer. Pick up: $69
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Seattle to Seattle Airport: $90
- Private One-way Transfer from Seattle Airport to Seattle: $90
- Private Arrival Transfer from Seattle Tacoma Airport SEA: $93
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $13Seattle $88
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$2.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- 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
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $50
- Yomari and Bara Newari Food Cooking Class Cultural Experience: $50
- Kathmandu Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $52
- Authentic Kathmandu Cooking Class and Guided Market Tour: $59
Typical Food Prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Plant-Based in Pike Place Food Tour: $50
- Seattle's Sweetest Food Tour: Delicious Donuts, Beignets, & More: $65
- Pike Place Market Food Tour with 9+ Tastings: $73
- Seattle : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $73
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market: $75
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $75
- Japanese Ramen Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Fun Taco Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Seattle: $75
- Pike Place Market: Original Food Tour - Tips Included!: $112
- Seattle Seafood Tour: A Long Lunch of Market-Fresh Tastings: $119
- Seafood Tour with Market Visit: $119
- Italian Gnocchi Cooking Class in Seattle (Includes 4-Course Meal): $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.05Seattle $16
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$1.32
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.30
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $8.40
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $9.50
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- KATHMANDU FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (6-hrs): $10
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour with Lunch.: $10
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $10
- Kathmandu to Lumbini Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $10
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Discover A Self-Guided Tour: $1.12
- Podcast Tour Jimi Hendrix in the Central District: $5.46
- Podcast Tour Seattle Guided: $5.46
- Podcast Tour Seattle The Glass Jungle and the Price of Tomorrow: $6.83
- Seattle Self Guided Audio Tour of Pike Place and Waterfront: $7.99
- Exploring An Audio Tour of the Last of Us film locations: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Everett: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Seattle by Crazy Dash: $10
- Experience Mining For Genuine Montana Sapphires in SODO, Seattle: $10
- Epic Royalty Themed Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Bellevue, WA: $10
- Seattle Gold Rush GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $11
- Seattle Downtown Pioneers to Starbucks Self Guided Walking Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.02Seattle $16
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
- Bar Tour and Pub Crawl Sip Stroll Repeat Thamel Night: $75
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Astonishing Bar Crawl in Seattle Belltown Bar Blitz: $15
- Seattle Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Seattle Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Personalized Wine Tasting Experience in Seattle: $60
- Seattle Beer Wander - Ballard Brewery District: $65
- Diverse Wine Tasting Experience with Bites: $75
- Pike Place Market Tour with Wine Tasting: $77
- Northwest Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese and Chocolate: $109
- Woodinville Guided Wine Tour with Optional Tastings: $109
- Private Wine Tour on Whidbey Island, WA 7hrs: $169
- Hollywood Artisan Wine Tasting Experience: $249
- All-inclusive Wine Tasting and Lunch Experience: $249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle is in North America, 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Seattle?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Seattle, 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.