Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
-
Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $21Bangkok $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $21, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $99. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.37Bangkok $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.74Bangkok $96
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Bangkok? 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.58Bangkok $6.24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- "Exclusive Round-Trip Transfer: Pokhara to Jomsom & Muktinath": $191
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: Premium Private Car Transfer: $130
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike With Transfers: $45
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.39
-
Skytrain Ticket$4.78
-
Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.96
-
Ferry Ride$0.78
-
Taxi From Airport$7.46
-
Short Taxi Ride$2.69
-
Boat Taxi$1.49
-
Trains to airport$4.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Airport Private Transfer from Bangkok Airports: $41
- Airport Transfer Camry/Fortuner or Similar: $59
- Airport Transfer: Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok by Luxury Van: $102
- Airport Transfer: Bangkok to Don Mueang Airport DMK by Luxury Car: $102
- Airport Transfer: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok by Luxury Van: $102
- Airport to Airport Transfer in Bangkok: $64
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $100
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Business Car: $79
- Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $15
- Ayutthaya Cultural Triangle City Tour with Transfer: $64
- Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Hotel Transfers: $85
- Ayutthaya Floating Market Admission Ticket with Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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 dayPokhara $12Bangkok $34
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
-
Dinner for Two$3.88
-
Dessert (for 2)$2.59
-
Pastries$1.29
-
Dinner$5.50
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
- 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
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River: $98
- Pokhara 4 Hours Private Indian Authentic Naga Dish Cooking Class: $115
- Full-Day Pokhara Private Couples Romantic Getaway with Dinner: $300
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
-
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$27
-
Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.97
-
2 Rotis (Bread)$1.34
-
Mango & Sticky Rice$0.90
-
Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.97
-
Pad Thai$2.09
-
Airport Lunch for 2$16
-
Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Mahanakorn Pad Thai & Tom Yum Cooking Class in Bangkok: $21
- Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $23
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- Bangkok Sawasdee Sunset Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM Beer FreeFlow: $26
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
- Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show and Sunset View: $29
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Peaceful Wat Pho and Authentic Street Food Tour: $31
- Bangkok The Luxury White Sunset or Dinner Cruise (Asiatique Pier): $31
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.26Bangkok $17
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pokhara to Chitwan Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket Luxury Sofa: $11
- Chitwan: to Kathmandu/Pokhara Tourist Bus luxurious Sofa: $12
- Kathmandu: to Chitwan By Luxurious Sofa Tourist Bus or Back: $12
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Sofa Bus: $12
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $12
- Tourist Bus: Chitwan to Pokhara or Pokhara to Chitwan: $14
- Gentle walking Fewa Lake Exploration Tour: $15
- Sarangkot Sunrise Tour: $18
- Kathmandu to Lumbini Bus ticket Reservation : $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Movie Ticket$4.78
-
Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$10
-
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.49
-
Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.97
-
Club Cover Charge$11
-
Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$72
-
Fish Pedicure$4.48
-
Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.98
-
Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bangkok Hidden Treasures: A Self-Guided Urban Adventure: $4.57
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Walking Audio Tour: $5.13
- Podcast Tour Bangkok Thonburi Hidden Khlongs: $5.48
- Bangkok Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Bangkok Walking Tour 2h40 and 22 audio reviews: $6.56
- Podcast Tour Bangkok The Dragons Breath: $6.85
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $6.99
- Wat Arun Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Erawan Museum Ticket (NON THAI): $9.76
- Erawan Museum & Ancient City Admission Ticket - Bangkok (NonThai): $9.76
- Grand Palace and Temples of Bangkok with Experienced Guide: $13
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.65Bangkok $5.46
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Beer$1.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Bangkok, 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.