Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Luxor?
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 Luxor or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Kathmandu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Luxor or Kathmandu?
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Luxor Prices
Egypt PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $31Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $31, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $54. 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 Luxor and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $10Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $20Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $5.28Kathmandu $6.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride$0.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
- Private Transfer Between Luxor Airport & Any Hotel: $6.00
- Luxor Airport Private Departure Transfer: $6.00
- Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $6.00
- Private Transfer from / to luxor int'l airport: $6.00
- Private Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor Airport: $7.00
- Private Luxor Airport Transfer to or from Any Hotel: $7.00
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
- Private Luxor Airport Transfer: Arrival or Departure: $7.49
- Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
- Luxor Private Transfers LXR Airport Hotels Cruises and Sites: $7.50
- Private Transfer Luxor International Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
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$1.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer — Private Pickup or Drop: $17
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Kathmandu to Besisahar One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Luxor 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 dayLuxor $15Kathmandu $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $15
- Tourist market,local food tour,the gym and coffee in Luxor: $19
- Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner: $30
- Enjoy lunch or dinner al fresco at Luxor Farm: $30
- Traditional Egyptian Cooking Experience with Luxor Local Family: $35
- Luxor West Bank Tour: School, Church & Cooking Class: $35
- 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
- Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- Nile River Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Luxor (private Tour): $44
- Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner Luxor: $45
- Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $45
- Desert Dinner or Overnight Stay Under the Stars from Luxor: $60
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.17
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Dinner for Two$2.61
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
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- 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
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $9.72Kathmandu $6.98
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)$0.53
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.56
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Camel Ride for Two$1.18
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dahabiya Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan: $5.00
- Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City: $6.00
- Medinet Habu Temple QR Code Entry Ticket: $6.50
- Luxor Half Day tour: valley of the kings and Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.00
- Luxor Half Day Tour : Karnak & Luxor Temples: $8.00
- Luxor Tour:Valley of the King&Hatshepsut Temple&colossi of Memnon: $8.41
- Private luxor Tour: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.63
- Luxor Half-Day Private Tour: Valley of Kings, Queens & Hatshepsut: $9.00
- VIP Private Nile Motorboat Experience in Luxor: $9.00
- Tour in the East Bank of Luxor: $9.00
- Half Day Tour: Valley of the kings & Hatshepsut Temple and Memnon: $9.00
- Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
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$1.30
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.26
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.30
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 orGroup: $5.00
- Kathmandu Heritage Highlights: Best of Kathmandu Private Day Tour: $8.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Kathmandu City Tour: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Chitwan to Pokhara Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Private sightseeing Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.91Kathmandu $4.97
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa and Kathmandu is in Asia, 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 Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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.