A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pokhara vs. Alesund for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pokhara or Alesund?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Alesund can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pokhara or Alesund?

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.

Alesund

Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Pokhara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $143. 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 Pokhara and Alesund in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pokhara $3.43
    Alesund $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pokhara $6.86
    Alesund $124
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Alesund

Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Alesund? 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.

Hotels in Pokhara


Hotels in Alesund


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: Pokhara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pokhara $6.70
    Alesund $30
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:

  • Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
  • Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
  • Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
  • Pokhara ↔️ Kathmandu: VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer (Rainbow): $16
  • Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
  • Intercity transfer by private car all over Nepal: $54
  • From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
  • Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
  • Half Day Pokhara White Water River Rafting with Hotel Transfers: $70
  • Bandipur to Kathmandu Private Car Service | Best Private Transfer: $70
  • White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:

  • Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund (AES) Airport to City centre: $162
  • Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund hotels-Round Trip Transfer: $104
  • Private Transfer To OR From Airport in Ålesund: $189
  • Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Andalsnes Port: $213
  • Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Maloy Cruise Port: $160
  • Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Andalsnes Port: $213
  • Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Olden Cruise Port: $165
  • Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund Port: $52
  • Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Olden Port: $225
  • Private Transfer from Alesund city hotels to Maloy Cruise Port: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Alesund?

Prices for flights to both Alesund and Pokhara 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 day
    Pokhara $12
    Alesund $61
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $3.95
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $2.63
  • Pastries
    $1.32
  • 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
  • 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
  • Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pokhara $6.38
    Alesund $19

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
  • Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
  • Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
  • Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
  • City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
  • City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
  • Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10
  • Peace Pagoda Sunset, Annapurna Mountain Views Tour: $11
  • Full-Day Sharing Bus Tour on 7 Iconic Destination: $11
  • Pokhara to Chitwan Sauraha Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $11

Tours and Activities in Alesund

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:

  • The Essence of Ålesund Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Geiranger Fjord Tour (Hellesylt-Geiranger one way): $43
  • Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $48
  • Alesund Walking Tour Art Nouveau and Postcard Views: $74
  • Hellesylt Panorama Tour in Ljoen Viewpoint and Oye Village: $75
  • Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $85
  • Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $97
  • Hjørundfjord Fjord Tour Roundtrip from Ålesund: $119
  • Guided Adventure on Fjord Kayaking in Hellesylt, Norway: $129
  • Fjord paddle in Hellesylt - the perfect fjord adventure: $135
  • Fjord Cruise & Island Hike from Molde: $139
  • Alnes Lighthouse, Sunnmøre Museum, Aksla and City Sightseeing: $139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pokhara $5.76
    Alesund $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Alesund, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pokhara is in Asia and Alesund is in Europe, 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 Alesund would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alesund 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 Pokhara Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Alesund?

Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Alesund, 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.