Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara 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 Pokhara?
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.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesPokhara Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Pokhara $22
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $22. 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 Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Pokhara $3.42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Pokhara $6.84
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Pokhara
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Pokhara $6.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport transfers: $180
- Airport transfers in Nairobi: $60
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- 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
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara 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
-
Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Pokhara $12
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
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 Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
-
Dinner for Two$3.93
-
Dessert (for 2)$2.62
-
Pastries$1.31
-
Dinner$5.57
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 or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- 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
- Pokhara Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path and Local Food Tour: $50
- 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Pokhara $6.35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
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
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 Night 2 Days Pokhara to Ghandruk Jeep Adventure: $150
- 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
- 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
- 2 Days 1 Night Private Tour from Pokhara to Ghandruk Trek: $200
- 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 Chitwan Jungle exploration Tour from Pokhara: $284
- 3 Night 4 Days Lower mustang 4W jeep tour from Pokhara: $404
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Pokhara $5.73
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Pokhara, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi 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 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Pokhara?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.