Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Phuket or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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: Phuket or Kathmandu?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Kathmandu $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $57. 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 Phuket and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Kathmandu $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Kathmandu $80
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11Kathmandu $6.95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
-
Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport Bus Transfer from/to Karon Beach: $5.35
- From Phuket or Pa Tong: Transfer to Gun Shooting Range: $6.76
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $10
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $12
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $13
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $14
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Arrival Transfer : $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Departure Transfer : $15
- Phuket International Airport (HKT): Transfer to/from Phuket: $16
- Phuket Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Phuket Departure Transfer - Hotel to Phuket Airport : $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer : $87
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. : $22
- From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
- Kathmandu Airport Arrival transfer: $20
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Kathmandu Airport transfer service: $8.35
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $22Kathmandu $8.31
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
-
Thai Noodles$2.45
-
Bananas$0.68
-
Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.35
-
Dinner for Two$3.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $7.50
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.59
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.37
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $13
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
- Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Food Tour In Kathmandu With Walking Local Market: $23
- Nepali cooking class and Homestay experience : $25
- Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Kathmandu $8.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour$25
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
-
Thai Oil Massage$17
-
Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.01
- The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $4.14
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
- Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $15
- Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $16
- Original Discovery Tour: $17
- Old Phuket Farm Ticket - Countryside Local Life Culture: $18
- Child Ticket age 6 - 12 years old (Tourist): $18
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.50
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.76
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Tour Chandragiri Hills and Kathmandu Durbar Square : $5.00
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.56
- Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
- Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
- Nepali Nightlife Experience in Kathmandu's Vibrant Thamel: $12
- Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
- Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $12
- Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $12
- 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private Day Tour: $13
- Chitwan To Kathmandu Tourist Bus: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35Kathmandu $5.77
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
-
Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Kathmandu, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.