Which place is cheaper, Pokhara 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 Pokhara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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: Phuket or Pokhara?
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.
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 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 PricesPokhara Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $132Pokhara $22
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, 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 Phuket and Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Pokhara $3.43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Pokhara $6.86
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Pokhara
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Pokhara $6.69
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:
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer: $156
- Airport Transfer: Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket by Business Car: $111
- Airport Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $111
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $83
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $111
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $122
- Arrival Transfer Phuket Airport HKT to Talang, Kathu, Muang: $43
- Best ATV Bike and Ziplines Adventure with Transfer: $42
- Comfortable Private Phuket Airport to Hotel Arrival Transfer: $26
- Departure Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $111
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platform & Transfer RoundTrips: $140
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms With Lunch & Transfer RoundTrips: $121
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$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
- From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
- From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
- Intercity transfer by private car all over Nepal: $54
- Pokhara ↔️ Kathmandu: VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer (Rainbow): $16
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Transfer by Private Car: $99
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
- Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
- Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara 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 $41Pokhara $12
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)$8.62
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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$2.68
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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
- Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Option in Bang Tao Phuket: $47
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht: $54
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $56
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Half Day Coral Island Premium Yacht Tour with Sunset Dinner: $60
- Hands on Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $62
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $62
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $62
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $62
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$3.95
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Dessert (for 2)$2.63
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Pastries$1.32
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Dinner$5.59
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
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Pokhara $6.37
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:
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $19
- Phuket City Tour: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong & Scenic Viewpoints: $21
- Aquaria Phuket Ticket: $21
- (Bookable Rows 1–3)Simon Cabaret Show Tickets in Patong Phuket: $25
- Phi Phi Island Ferry Ticket: $25
- Simon Cabaret Show Tickets Optional First 3 Rows: $25
- Skip the Line: Phuket Simon Cabaret Show Admission Ticket: $25
- Ferry Tickets Between Phuket (Rassada) and Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai): $25
- Phuket City Tour with Wat Chalong, Big Buddha & Famous Viewpoints: $26
- Superton Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience: $26
- Phi Phi Islands Comfort Cruise from Phuket w/ Lunch&Hotel Pickup: $28
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sarangkot Sunrise with Half or Full-Day City Tour: $7.47
- From Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $7.84
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas: Tour 3 hour private tour: $9.16
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10
- Peace Pagoda Sunset, Annapurna Mountain Views Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.95Pokhara $5.75
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:
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $87
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $133
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Pokhara, we can see that Phuket 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 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Pokhara?
Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.