Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
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.
-
Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $54Tokyo $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $178. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $34Tokyo $74
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $68Tokyo $148
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $5.98Tokyo $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Everest Scenic Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $239
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat &Transfer: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $190
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $168
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Haneda Airport to Tokyo 23Wards 18-45 seater Bus One Way Transfer: $6.47
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport (HND): $52
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $54
- Tokyo Disneyland Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to Disneyland (One Way): $54
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Tokyo Cruise Port: $58
- Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea: Private Transfer To/From Tokyo Hotels: $59
- Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Haneda Airport: $62
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo City: $62
- Tokyo City: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Yokohama City: $63
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $66
- Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Station to Tokyo City: $66
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Yokohama Port: $67
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
-
Food Meals for one dayKathmandu $13Tokyo $63
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.16
-
Dinner for Two$2.59
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
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
-
Late Night Noodles$5.07
-
Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.07
-
Meal at Airport$6.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $23
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
- Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $39
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Giant Sushi Cooking Class: Make a 1.5m Sushi Roll in Tokyo: $42
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $48
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $6.92Tokyo $66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.29
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu: $70
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Kathmandu 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $155
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $1.12
- Tsukiji Fish Market Morning Tour Most Fresh Tuna Fish: $3.23
- Experience Japan’s Beloved Morning Exercise – Radio Taiso”!: $5.17
- Marunouchi Night Tour: History and Views: $6.46
- Shibuya Night Walking Tour with a Local in Tokyo: $6.46
- Nihonbashi ultime Edo local Tour: $6.46
- Mt Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi 1 day Private Bus Tour: $6.47
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Podcast Tour Tokyo From Market to Sushi Masterpiece: $6.84
- Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.88
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.76
- Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket: $8.85
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $4.93Tokyo $32
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 & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
-
Sake$3.80
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $32
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $36
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Tokyo Japanese Wine Tasting Experience (Not Sake) | Near Shibuya: $65
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Japanese Sake Brewery Day Tour: $84
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $91
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $91
- Shinjuku Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local foods-: $103
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $103
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.