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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Sydney?

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 Sydney 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Kathmandu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $274. 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 Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Sydney $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Sydney? 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 Sydney


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 Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Sydney $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Airport & Hotel Transfer in kathmandu by Luxury Vehicle: $40
  • 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 Kathmandu To Ramechhap Airport - Private Transfer: $172
  • From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $149
  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
  • Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
  • Kathmandu Airport Arrival Transfer(Airport-Hotel): $22
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $14
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
  • Sydney Port Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City Hotel: $23
  • Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $23
  • Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel to Sydney Cruise Port: $23
  • Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
  • Sydney Port Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Cruise Port: $29
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
  • Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Kembla Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $53
  • Private Transfer from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Kembla Cruise Port: $53
  • Private Transfer from Kembla Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $53
  • Try find your better than us!AirportTransfer inSydney APT-HTL SYD: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $8.48
    Sydney $44
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

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

  • Momo Making and Cooking class in Kathmandu: $9.46
  • Half Day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chefs: $10
  • Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $11
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu: $11
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Private Cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu - 4 Hours: $22
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Half-Day Immersive Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with pickup: $25
  • Nepal: Dinner at a Local Home with a Local Family: $26
  • Private Cooking Class with Transfers and Lunch: $27
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $27
  • Embark on a Culinary Voyage: Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $28

Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.61
  • Lunch Special
    $9.77
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.77
  • Meat Pies
    $3.26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
  • Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $57
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
  • Vivid Tall Ships Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $60
  • Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $68
  • Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $70
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu: $71
  • Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $71
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $73
  • Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise: $73
  • Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.03
    Sydney $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.75
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

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

  • Discover Kathmandu on a day cycling tour! (Minimum 4 people): $0.20
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.58
  • Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
  • Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
  • Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
  • Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
  • Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $13
  • Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $13
  • Chitwan To Kathmandu Tourist Bus: $13
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara bus ticket : $13

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $124
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.81

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.17
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.31
  • Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $12
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
  • Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.72
    Sydney $15

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

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

  • Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $55
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $55
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
  • Hunter Valley: Wine Tour with 3 Tastings and Garden Lunch: $127
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $131
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tasting + Lunch Guided Day Tour : $134
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $140
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $147


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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Sydney, 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.