Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kathmandu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kathmandu?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKolkata (Calcutta) $37Kathmandu $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $57. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKolkata (Calcutta) $17Kathmandu $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKolkata (Calcutta) $34Kathmandu $80
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kathmandu? 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11Kathmandu $6.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
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:
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 dayKolkata (Calcutta) $14Kathmandu $8.31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64
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.
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $15Kathmandu $8.04
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Colonial Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $20
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $25
- Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
- The Taste of Kolkata - Evening Food Walk Tour: $30
- Magic Hour Tour: $37
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
- Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
- Indian Museum Guided Tour (Including surrounding area): $43
- Mesmerising Kolkata Private Customised Day Tour: $53
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:
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKolkata (Calcutta) $8.27Kathmandu $5.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kathmandu?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kathmandu, 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.