Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi 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 Nairobi 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: Nairobi or Kathmandu?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Kathmandu $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, 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 Nairobi and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Kathmandu $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Kathmandu $70
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Kathmandu $6.07
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $30
- From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Nairobi Private Airport Transfer: $35
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$1.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Tribhuvan International Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu International Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private One-Way Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara/Chitwan/Lumbini: $80
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
- Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
- Nagarkot to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
- The Carnivore Restaurant Experience in Lunch or Dinner: $116
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
- Flavors of Brazilian Churrascaria Dinner Eating Experience: $125
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$2.62
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
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- 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
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Kathmandu $7.01
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $10
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
- Nairobi City Tour and Pickup: $20
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park Guided Tour: $22
- Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
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$1.31
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.28
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.31
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Kathmandu 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 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 Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
- 20 Ponds Walking Heritage Tour in Bhaktapur: $110
- 3 Major Buddhists Pilgrimage Private Tour in Kathmandu.: $128
- 3 Old Royal Durbar Square Tour in Kathmandu: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Kathmandu $5.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Kathmandu, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi 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 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi 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 Nairobi Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Kathmandu?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.