Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Manama?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manama or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Manama and Kathmandu 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: Manama or Kathmandu?
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Manama Prices
Bahrain PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManama $190Kathmandu $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Manama is $190, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $55. 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 Manama and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManama $66Kathmandu $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManama $132Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Manama and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Manama 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: Manama Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manama $30Kathmandu $6.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer: $25
- Tribhuvan International Airport KTM Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $28
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Kathmandu Airport Vehicle: $35
- Private Transfer to Bhaktapur from Kathmandu: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Manama or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Manama 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
-
Food Meals for one dayManama $97Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.18
-
Dinner for Two$2.63
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
- 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
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Food tour: Food and Drink Tasting with Guide In Kathmandu: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manama $34Kathmandu $7.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.32
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
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
- Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu: $5.00
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- All Seven UNESCO Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley: $5.00
- Women Thamel Walking Tour: $7.50
- Private Full Day Kathmandu Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites: $9.50
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $10
- Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour.: $10
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManama $11Kathmandu $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 Manama and Kathmandu, we can see that Manama is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manama is in Middle East 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 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 Manama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manama 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 Manama Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manama or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Manama. When comparing the sizes of Manama 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.