Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kathmandu or Tokyo?
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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Tokyo $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $157. 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 Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Tokyo $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Tokyo $152
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.95Tokyo $17
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$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Transfers: $1,999
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- 3-Day Chitwan Safari Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $180
- From Kathmandu To Ramechhap Airport - Private Transfer: $171
- From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
- Kathmandu to Pokhara: One Way Private Transfer: $156
- Everest Mountain Flight with Private Transfers: $155
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
- Pokhara: One way transfer To or From Kathmandu: $117
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One-way Transfer Tokyo To Narita Airport: $11
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Narita Int Airport(NRT): $33
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo city hotels to Tokyo Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $42
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $42
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $45
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $8.31Tokyo $37
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.35
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Dinner for Two$3.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.56
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.34
- Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $9.50
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
- Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
- Nepali and Newari Cooking Class with Optional …: $22
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $25
- Cooking Class with Special Day Celebration in Thamel: $27
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.22
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.22
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Meal at Airport$6.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $33
- 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $36
- Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $38
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji: $54
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $60
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $60
- Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $66
- Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.04Tokyo $68
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$1.50
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.76
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
- Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
- Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $199
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $117
- Private Kathmandu Day Tour: $70
- Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
- "Unleash the Adventure: Conquer the Annapurna Circuit Trek": $1,288
- 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $311
- 1 Day Everest base camp helicopter tour: $2,141
- 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1-Day Bungee Jumping Tour from Kathmandu: $160
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.23
- Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.66
- 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.17
- Akihabara (Tokyo): English Audio Guide Tour: $6.47
- Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.47
- Local Food and Bar Tour in Ginza: $6.47
- Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.47
- Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.47
- Ueno Park Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $6.47
- Tokyo Local Bar Hopping Tour in Shibuya: $6.47
- Asakusa（Tokyo）: Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.47
- Audio Guide Tour: Deeper Experience of Shinjuku Sightseeing: $6.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.77Tokyo $33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $30
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- TOKYO | Temple, Shrine, Sake Bar Crawling: $62
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $84
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $91
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $103
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $106
- 【Harajuku】Night Pub Crawl with Local Japanese: $125
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Tokyo, 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.