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 $36Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $72Seattle $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 $6.14Seattle $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$1.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $12
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer: $25
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle: $35
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
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
- One-Way Transfer: Pier 66 to Airport: $27
- One-Way Seattle Airport Transfer Service: $27
- One-Way Transfer: Pier 91 to Airport: $28
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Piers 66 & 91: $30
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Airport to Seattle Piers 66 & 91: $30
- SEA Airport Private Transfer to Seattle City|Hotels: $37
- Private Transfer from Seattle Airport SEA to Smith Cove Terminal: $37
- Seattle Airport Transfer – One Way or Round Trip (VAN OR SUV): $45
- Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Sedan: $83
- Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive Sedan: $83
- Private Departure Transfer to Seattle Tacoma Airport SEA: $93
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$2.65
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 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.
- Meet Me at the Market Food Tour: $44
- Seattle Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Delicious Donuts & Holiday Cheer: Seattle Food Tour: $70
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $71
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $73
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market: $75
- Japanese Ramen Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Chef Food Tour of Seattle Space Needle and Seattle Center: $85
- Pike Place Market: Original Food Tour - Tips Included!: $112
- Pike Place Market Gourmet Food Tour: $115
- Seattle Seafood Tour: A Long Lunch of Market-Fresh Tastings: $119
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class in Seattle (Includes 4-Course Meal): $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.09Seattle $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$1.33
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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:
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Kathmandu Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $5.00
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- All Seven UNESCO Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley: $5.00
- Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $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
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour.: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket (Luxury Sofa Seater): $11
- Sauraha Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $11
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Pike Place Market Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Experience Mining For Genuine Montana Sapphires in Seattle: $5.00
- Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
- Uncover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Seattle Kraken Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $19
- National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
- Seattle Gay History Tour Queers Queens and Everything in Between: $20
- Seattle City Walking Tour: Along the Waterfront: $22
- Smith Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $22
- Skip the Line: Daily Admission at Woodland Park Zoo Ticket: $23
- Seattle Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Smith Tower Observatory Access Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.09Seattle $16
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
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 Near Pike Place Market: $75
- Diverse Wine Tasting Experience with Bites: $75
- Small Group Wine Tasting: Explore Diverse Wines and PNW Cuisine: $100
- 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.