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

Should you visit Kathmandu or Yangon?

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 Yangon 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 Yangon?

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.

Yangon

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.

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


Which place is cheaper, Yangon or Kathmandu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Yangon is $63. 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 Yangon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $40
    Yangon $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $80
    Yangon $62
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Yangon

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Yangon? 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 Yangon


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Yangon $2.38
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:

  • Kathmandu Airport transfer service: $8.35
  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
  • Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
  • Kathmandu airport transfer service: $20
  • Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
  • Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara: Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer: $23
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel : $25
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer: $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:

  • Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
  • Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
  • Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
  • Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
  • Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $24
  • Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
  • Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
  • Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Yangon?

Prices for flights to both Yangon 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 $8.31
    Yangon $9.70
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • 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.

  • Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
  • Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
  • Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
  • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
  • Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $13
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
  • Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $25
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon

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

  • Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
  • Yangon Evening Food Tour and trishaw ride: $26
  • Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
  • Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
  • Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
  • Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kathmandu $8.04
    Yangon -
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
    $3.76
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

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

  • Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.56
  • Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
  • Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
  • Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
  • Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
  • Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
  • Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
  • 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $13
  • Chitwan To Kathmandu Tourist Bus: $13

Tours and Activities in Yangon

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

  • Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
  • Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
  • Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $25
  • Yangon Dala Discovery Tour on Bamboo Bicycles: $32
  • Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
  • Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
  • Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
  • Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
  • Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
  • Yangon Evening Street Food and Market Walking Tour: $44
  • One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
  • Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.77
    Yangon -


When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Yangon, we can see that Yangon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Yangon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Yangon?

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