Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Lahore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lahore or Pokhara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lahore and Pokhara. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lahore or Pokhara?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayLahore $57Pokhara $19
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $57, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $19. 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 Lahore and Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $37Pokhara $3.92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $74Pokhara $7.84
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Pokhara
Looking for a hotel in Lahore or Pokhara? 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: Lahore Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.98Pokhara $7.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer : $60
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- From Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $249
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $170
- Direct Transfers Your Private Ride Between Pokhara & Chitwan: $156
- Kathmandu to 1-Way Car Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Kathmandu: Private Transfer From or To Pokhara: $117
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $98
- From Bungee Jumping with Hotel Transfers: $94
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $78
- Comfortable One-Way Car Transfer from Pokhara to Lumbini: $78
- Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $78
- Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara and Lahore 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 dayLahore $14Pokhara $8.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Full Day Lahore Private Guided Food Tour: $299
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$4.51
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Dessert (for 2)$3.01
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Pastries$1.50
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Dinner$6.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $39
- Nepalese Kitchen in Pokhara Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $40
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $41
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- From Pokhara:3 Hour authentic fish curry cooking class: $51
- Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $5.08Pokhara $7.28
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahori Food Experience: $65
- Wahga Border Flag Ceremony & Shalimar Garden Private Tour: $70
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Lahore Walled City Walking Tour: $102
- Rangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Rangeela Rickshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Private Tour: Lahore Full Day Customized Guided Trip : $120
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Private Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $120
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $109
- Pokhara City Sightseeing Day Tour: $72
- "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $17
- "Sacred Journey: Exploring Hindu Temples Tour in Pokhara": $72
- 1 Day Pokhara Tour from Kathmandu by flight: $624
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $129
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $144
- 1 Night 2-Day Chitwan National Park Safari Tour: $152
- 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $89
- 2 Day Ghalel Homestay tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $234
- 2 Day Tour in Pokhara: $144
- 2 Days 1 Night Private Tour from Pokhara to Ghandruk Trek: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.89Pokhara $6.57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Pokhara, we can see that Lahore is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Lahore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lahore than you might in Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lahore Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Pokhara?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Lahore and Pokhara, 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.