Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Phuket?
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 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 holiday gem 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.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $132Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $54. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Kathmandu $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Kathmandu $68
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Kathmandu $5.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.95
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport Private Transfer To or From All Phuket Hotels: $13
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus): $14
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $15
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
- Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International: $18
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi 1-Way Ferry Transfer: $20
- Private PHUKET Arrival Transfer - Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels: $21
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport (HKT) to Phuket Cruise Port: $22
- Phuket Airport Departure Transfer – Domestic & International: $23
- Private Transfer from Phuket hotels to Phuket Cruise Port: $23
- Private Transfer from Phuket Cruise Port to Phuket hotels: $23
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$1.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $30
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
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
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Food Meals for one dayPhuket $41Kathmandu $13
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.63
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.07
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.69
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Bananas$0.75
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Pizza (for Two)$8.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Authentic Peranakan Cooking Class & Tasting Menu in Phuket: $29
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $50
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $51
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $51
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $55
- Coral Island Premium Yacht Half Day Tour with Sunset Dinner: $55
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $61
- Hands on Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $61
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $61
- Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Option in Bang Tao Phuket: $61
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.16
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Dinner for Two$2.59
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: $10
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $13
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $25
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Half day cooking class in Thamel kathmandu: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Yomari and Bara Newari Food Cooking Class Cultural Experience: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Kathmandu $6.92
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$27
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$75
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Thai Oil Massage$19
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Surfboard Rental$8.95
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.62
- Rock Beach Swing Phuket Scenic Photo Spot Ticket: $14
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $16
- Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $17
- Rock Beach Swing Ticket with Karon Viewpoint in Phuket: $20
- Aquaria Phuket Ticket: $21
- Phuket City Tour Sightseeing and Night Market Everyday: $23
- Phuket Nightlife Tour, Free Entry Bar and Club Crawl: $24
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $24
- Simon Cabaret Phuket Show Admission Ticket: $24
- Ultimate Fun Experience Ticket from Phuket's Baan Teelanka: $24
- Phuket City Tour with Famous Landmark and Insta Hunt Challenge: $24
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$1.29
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa: $6.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $8.00
- Private sightseeing Day Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Heritage: $9.00
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Heritage Private Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Day Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $10
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $11
- Chitwan to Pokhara Luxury Bus Ticket Reservation: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.95Kathmandu $4.93
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.97
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Beer$2.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $17
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $52
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $85
- Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint: $112
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 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.