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 $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $31, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $56. 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 $11Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $22Kathmandu $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 $5.37Kathmandu $6.14
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$0.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- Private Luxor Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel with Local Driver: $5.00
- Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $5.00
- Cheap trip : Private transfer from luxor railway station to your hotel: $5.13
- Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $6.00
- Luxor Airport Private Departure Transfer: $6.00
- Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport and Vice Versa: $6.06
- Private Luxor Airport Transfer: Arrival or Departure: $6.07
- Seamless Transfers Between Luxor Airport & Your Hotel: $6.65
- Private Transfer Between Luxor Airport & Any Hotel: $7.00
- Luxor Airport Private transfer to your hotel or vice versa: $7.00
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
- Private Transfer from Train station or bus station in luxor: $7.14
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$1.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- From Everest Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $69
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
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 $16Kathmandu $14
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
- Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $20
- Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner: $30
- Enjoy lunch or dinner al fresco at Luxor Farm: $30
- Luxor West Bank Tour: School, Church & Cooking Class: $35
- Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
- Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
- Nile River Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Luxor (private Tour): $44
- Cooking Session with Family in Luxor with lunch: $50
- Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.19
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Dinner for Two$2.65
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: $9.50
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- 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
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $9.89Kathmandu $7.09
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)$0.54
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.60
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Camel Ride for Two$1.20
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City: $6.00
- private Day tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Memnon: $6.00
- Luxor Half Day Tour : Karnak & Luxor Temples: $8.00
- Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
- Luxor Day Tour: Explore Valley of Kings,Queens, Hatshepsut Temple: $8.00
- Private luxor Tour: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.01
- Private Tour: Medinet Habu,Valley of the Queens & Deir el-Medina: $8.49
- Private Half Day Luxor Tour Valley of Kings & Queens, Hatshepsut: $8.90
- Private Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatchepsut Temple &Tut's Tomb: $9.00
- Private Guided Tour of Karnak and Luxor Temples(With free lunch): $9.00
- Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
- Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show Experience in Luxor: $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$1.33
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.32
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.33
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Women Thamel Walking Tour: $7.50
- Walking Tour from Bazaar to Hippie Hub Ason and Freak Street: $7.50
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Tourist Bus Kathmandu to Chitwan: $9.50
- Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $10
- Kathmandu UNESCO Tour with 1 Hour Sound Healing Session: $10
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $10
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.96Kathmandu $5.06
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.