Which place is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich?
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 Zurich 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesZurich Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Zurich $351
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $351. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Zurich $190
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Zurich $380
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.07Zurich $40
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$1.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $8.00
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer — Private Pickup or Drop: $17
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Kathmandu to Nagarkot One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $40
- Nagarkot to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $40
- Kathmandu to Namobuddha Transfer by Private AC Car One Way: $50
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Private Transfer – One-Way Scenic Journey: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- ZRH Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $51
- Private Transfer From Hotel To Zurich Airport or Vice Versa: $62
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $70
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $70
- Private Zurich Airport Transfers to and from Zurich Hotels: $70
- Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $78
- Private Zurich Airport Transfer to City - one way or round-trip: $82
- Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $82
- Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Sedan: $89
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Sedan: $89
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $97
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $13Zurich $119
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.18
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Dinner for Two$2.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- 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
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $176
- Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner: $186
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.01Zurich $40
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$1.31
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.28
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.31
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chandragiri Cable Car Ride and Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group: $5.00
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa: $6.60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $6.75
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Best of Kathmandu Heritage Highlights Private Tour: $8.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $8.00
- Private sightseeing Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage: $8.50
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Women Thamel Walking Tour: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.50
- St Gallen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.51
- Zurich Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.85
- Zurich Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Original Zürich Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.20
- Zurich Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.60
- Zurich Old Town Self Guided Tour of Saints and Sausages: $7.99
- Winterthur Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.68
- Stein am Rhein Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.68
- Schaffhausen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.68
- TOP Zurich : Private guided tour with your mobile: $12
- Zurich Historic Old Town Audio Self Guided Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.00Zurich $33
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 Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $37
- Turicum Distillery Tour: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich is in Europe, 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Zurich?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Zurich, 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.