Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or Pokhara?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesPokhara Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Pokhara $21
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $21. 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 Mombasa and Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Pokhara $3.37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Pokhara $6.74
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Pokhara
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Pokhara $6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi: $75
- Diani Airport – Kenya Coast Beach Hotel Transfers: $131
- Diani Mombasa Moi Int Airport Transfer: $160
- From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $35
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $137
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $92
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $34
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
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$0.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
- Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
- Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
- Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
- Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
- Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Pokhara $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Sultan's Spoon Mombasa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $133
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$3.88
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Dessert (for 2)$2.59
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Pastries$1.29
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Dinner$5.50
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
- Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
- 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
- Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
- Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Pokhara $6.26
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided tour in Fort Jesus,Mombasa old town,spice market with Dido: $20
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Elky Diani Glass Bottom Tour to Robinson Island: $35
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Fort Jesus & Mombasa Old Town Walking CityTour: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
- Private Mombasa City Tour: $40
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $45
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
- "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
- "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
- 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
- 110 Meters Bungee Jumping Tour in Pokhara: $105
- 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
- 2 Days Palpa-Tansen Hill station tour from Pokhara: $260
- 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
- 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $99
- 2-Day Scenic Mustang Tour: Pokhara to Jomsom, Kagbeni & Muktinath: $239
- 3 Day Pokhara and Himalayan Sunrise Private Tour: $239
- 3 Days Hiking Tour in Astam, Hyanjakot & Dhampus from Pokhara: $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.80Pokhara $5.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Pokhara, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Pokhara 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 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 Mombasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mombasa 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 Mombasa Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Pokhara?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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.