Which place is cheaper, Da Nang or Pokhara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pokhara or Da Nang?
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 Da Nang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Da Nang?
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.
Da Nang
Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.
With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.
Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.
Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $19Da Nang $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $19, while the average daily cost in Da Nang is $46. 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 Da Nang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.92Da Nang $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $7.84Da Nang $38
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Da Nang
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Da Nang? 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 Da Nang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $7.65Da Nang $11
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$0.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- From Kathmandu: Luxury Sofa Seater Bus Transfer to Pokhara: $23
- Pokhara Airport To Lakeside Transfer Service: $27
- Ayurvedic Spa Retreat with Transfers: $48
- World Peace Pagoda Guided Tour with Transfers: $51
- Whitewater River Rafting Tour with Hotel Transfers: $69
- Comfortable One-Way Car Transfer from Pokhara to Lumbini: $78
- Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $78
- Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car: $78
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $78
- From Bungee Jumping with Hotel Transfers: $94
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:
- Private Transfer to Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge & Hoi An City : $78
- Afternoon private transfer from Da Nang city to Golden Bridge in the theme park: $44
- Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge Private Car Transfer from Da Nang: $38
- Charter Limousine DCar RoundTrip Transfer Da Nang Hoi An Hue : $219
- DA NANG AIRPORT TO DA NANG HOTEL by Private Transfer: $9.97
- DA NANG AIRPORT To Da Nang Hotel by PRIVATE TRANSFER: $10
- Da Nang Airport Arrival Or Departure Luxury Car Transfers: $7.39
- Da Nang Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Da Nang Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Da Nang Airport Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $20
- Da Nang Airport To Hue Private Transfer: $126
- Da Nang Airport Transfer to City Centre by Private Car: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Da Nang?
Prices for flights to both Da Nang 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
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Food Meals for one dayPokhara $8.11Da Nang $16
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$4.51
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Dessert (for 2)$3.01
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Pastries$1.50
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Dinner$6.39
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/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $39
- Nepalese Kitchen in Pokhara Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $40
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $41
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- From Pokhara:3 Hour authentic fish curry cooking class: $51
- Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.
- Dragon bridge show and Da Nang local food tour: $4.10
- Happy Cooking Class in Danang : $26
- Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang : $27
- Cooking Class and tasting Pho with Local Girl: $29
- Da Nang Home Cooking Class: $29
- Da Nang Vegetarian Cooking Class: $29
- Basket Boat Riding and Cooking Class from Da Nang City : $29
- Da Nang Street Walking Food Tour : $29
- Eco Cooking Class and Basket boat tour from Da Nang city: $29
- Vegetarian Home Cooking Class Da Nang: $29
- Making Lantern & Basket Boat & Happy Cooking Class: $30
- Da Nang Home Cooking Class with Market Tour & Coffee Making: $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $7.28Da Nang $13
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tourist Bus Ticket (From Kathmandu Sofa Bus ): $0.12
- Full Day Pokhara City Sightseeing by Sharing Bus Group Tour: $6.71
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $8.12
- Sightseeing tour (Unguided) in Sharing Bus: $9.26
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $10
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Tour : 3-Hour From Pokhara: $10
- Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $11
- Pokhara/Baidam: Himalayas Sunrise Views from Sarangkot Tour: $12
- Sarangkot Sunrise Spectacle: Unforgettable Tour from Pokhara: $12
- Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
- City Tour in Sharing Bus : $12
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket : $13
Tours and Activities in Da Nang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:
- The private tour to Golden Bridge and Marble mountain: $2.05
- Local Food Private Walking Tour: $4.10
- From Monkey Mountain Hidden Gems Full-Day Tour: $4.10
- Han River by night on boat cruise in Da Nang: $5.50
- Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise.: $6.15
- Han River Local Cruise by Night: $6.15
- Han River Cruise & Cham Dancing by Phu Quy Cruise: $6.15
- Da Nang Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Da Nang Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Han River Tour - Da Nang Dragon Cruise: $8.21
- Sightseeing Tour From Hue To Da Nang By Train: $8.62
- Han River Cruise by Night with Dance Performance: $9.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $6.57Da Nang $9.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Da Nang
Also in Da Nang, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Son Tra Private Tour Rice Wine Distillery & Fishing Sauce Filtery: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Da Nang, we can see that Da Nang 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 Da Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Da Nang 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 Da Nang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Da Nang?
Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Da Nang, 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.