Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Mumbai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mumbai or Pokhara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Pokhara, 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 Pokhara?
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.
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 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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $69Pokhara $19
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $69, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $19. 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 Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $34Pokhara $3.92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $68Pokhara $7.84
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Pokhara
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $7.77Pokhara $7.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune: $28
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Luxury Van: $93
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $60
- Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $42
- Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $84
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Mumbai & Beyond transfer & travel in a Insured vehicle: Goa-Rajasthan-Gujrat etc: $53
- Mumbai - private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel : $64
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $28
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$0.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- From Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $249
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $170
- Direct Transfers Your Private Ride Between Pokhara & Chitwan: $156
- Kathmandu to 1-Way Car Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Kathmandu: Private Transfer From or To Pokhara: $117
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $98
- From Bungee Jumping with Hotel Transfers: $94
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $78
- Comfortable One-Way Car Transfer from Pokhara to Lumbini: $78
- Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $78
- Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara 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 $26Pokhara $8.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
- Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
- Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
- Street Food Tour: $32
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38
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$4.51
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Dessert (for 2)$3.01
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Pastries$1.50
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Dinner$6.39
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
- Nepalese Momos/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $39
- Nepalese Kitchen in Pokhara Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $40
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $41
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- From Pokhara:3 Hour authentic fish curry cooking class: $51
- Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.66Pokhara $7.28
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- 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
- Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
- Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
- Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
- Dharavi Slum Experience with Local Resident English Guide: $9.50
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $109
- Pokhara City Sightseeing Day Tour: $72
- "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $17
- "Sacred Journey: Exploring Hindu Temples Tour in Pokhara": $72
- 1 Day Pokhara Tour from Kathmandu by flight: $624
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $129
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $144
- 1 Night 2-Day Chitwan National Park Safari Tour: $152
- 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $89
- 2 Day Ghalel Homestay tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $234
- 2 Day Tour in Pokhara: $144
- 2 Days 1 Night Private Tour from Pokhara to Ghandruk Trek: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.69Pokhara $6.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
- Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
- Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $152
- Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Pokhara, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Pokhara?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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.