Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Mumbai?
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 Mumbai or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Kathmandu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Mumbai or Kathmandu?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Mumbai Prices
India PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $76Kathmandu $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $76, 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 Mumbai and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $30Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $60Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $6.46Kathmandu $6.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mumbai Airport Transfer: $12
- Mumbai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
- Mumbai Airport Transfer to Hotel with a Private Transport: $20
- Mumbai Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Easy & Safe: $23
- Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $24
- Mumbai Airport BOM Private Transfer to Mumbai City Central/Hotels: $24
- Mumbai After Dark: Private Night Tour with AC Transfers: $25
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $26
- Mumbai Airport Transfer to and from Hotel: $31
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $36
- Mumbai to Mumbai Airport (BOM) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
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$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Lukla Flight Ticket with Sharing Transfer Service: $270
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Shree Airlines with Free Transfers: $188
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $185
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $144
- Kathmandu to Lumbini One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $140
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Private Day Hike from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan with Transfer: $130
- Kathmandu to Manthali Private Transfer Service: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $38Kathmandu $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Evening Market Walk: $17
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Best Mumbai Street Food Tour with Market & Train Ride Tour: $27
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
- Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
- Mumbai Street Food Tour: $39
- Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $41
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mumbai Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $46
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai in a Local Home: $49
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.18
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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.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $9.50
- 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
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Walking Food tour: Food and Drink Tasting with Guide In Kathmandu: $40
- Women Empowerment Project(Nepali cooking class & jewelry workshop: $50
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.34Kathmandu $7.04
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $3.88
- Dharavi Slum tour in Mumbai by local resident: $4.28
- Private Mumbai City Tour with Dharavi Slum (Famous Movie Location: $4.30
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Audio Guided Tour – Mumbai Cricket Walk by HopOn India: $5.34
- Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.64
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Untold Stories with Local Guide: $6.42
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra City Tour with Fatehpur Sikri: $7.10
- Mumbai Dharavi Slum Tour With Local English Guide: $7.53
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$1.32
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.29
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $155
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
- 2 Days Private Tour from Chitlang to Markhu: $210
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
- 2 Night Jungle Safari Tour in Chitwan National Park: $262
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.25Kathmandu $5.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $34
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 Mumbai and Kathmandu, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai 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 Mumbai Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Kathmandu?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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.