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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Da Nang 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 Da Nang is $55. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pokhara $3.43
    Da Nang $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pokhara $6.86
    Da Nang $36
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.

Hotels in Pokhara


Hotels in Da Nang


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pokhara $6.69
    Da Nang $11
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
  • Bandipur to Kathmandu Private Car Service | Best Private Transfer: $70
  • White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:

  • Afternoon private transfer from Danang city to the Golden Bridge: $35
  • Asia Park - Sun World Da Nang Wonders Theme Park Ticket With Round Trip Transfer: $38
  • Ba Na Hills and Surroundings Nature Park Pass & Shared Transfer: $58
  • Best Tour/Transfer to Hue Imperial City from Da Nang/ Hoi An: $67
  • Coconut Jungle - Vegetable & Pottery Village- PRIVATE TRANSFER: $56
  • DA NANG AIRPORT to Da Nang Hotel by Private Transfer: $19
  • DCAR Limousine to GOLDEN BRIDGE - Private Transfer ( 8-9 Hours): $89
  • Da Nang International Airport PRIVATE Transfer To Da Nang/Hoi An: $4.00
  • Da Nang to Hoi An Ancient Town Private Car Round-Trip Transfer: $31
  • Da Nang to Hoi An ancient town by private transfer: $12
  • Round trip transfer to My Son sanctuary & Hoi An ancient: $65
  • Danang - Hoi An - Hue Transfer via Hai Van Pass & Golden Bridge: $50

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pokhara $12
    Da Nang $27
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
  • 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
  • Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
  • 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
  • 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
  • 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.

  • Tasty Dinner Han River Dragon Cruise by Yatch & Tradictional Show: $17
  • Da Nang Food Tour & Hidden Gems w/ Students By Scooter: $19
  • Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show: $21
  • Home Cooking Class: Market, Garden and cooking 4 dishes: $26
  • Walking Food Tour of Da Nang: $27
  • Vietnamese Banh Xeo Cooking Class w.t Traditional Recipes-Private: $30
  • Da Nang Street Food Tour On Scooter - up to 12 Tastings: $31
  • 6 Hours Cooking Activity Pick up Da Nang: $33
  • Da Nang Private Tour Poseidon Dinner Cruise and Hotel Transfer: $33
  • Da Nang Food Tour Motorbike & Craft Beer By Ao Dai Lady Rider: $35
  • Cooking Class and Tasting Pho in Da Nang with Local Chef: $39
  • Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang: $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pokhara $6.37
    Da Nang $13

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
  • Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
  • Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
  • Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
  • Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
  • City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
  • City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
  • Pokhara City Tour in Sharing Bus: $10
  • Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10

Tours and Activities in Da Nang

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

  • Hue Imperial City and Royal Tombs Scenic Tour With Hai Van Pass: $1.87
  • Da Nang City Sightseeing and My Son Sanctuary Heritage Experience: $1.87
  • Da Nang Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.16
  • Discover Marble Mountains, Son Tra, Hai Van Pass Tour: $5.00
  • Hue City Sightseeing Private Tour With Hai Van Pass Train Ride: $5.00
  • Cu Lao Cham Snorkeling Adventure Island Escape With Sea Walking: $5.00
  • Sunworld Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Full-Day tour from Da Nang: $7.50
  • Day Tour to Bana Hills with Golden Bridge: $7.80
  • Da Nang City Sightseeing Private Tour With Funny Tour Guide: $10
  • Han River Cruise by Night with Dance Performance: $10
  • Explore Hue: 3 Highlights Tour then Depart to Hoi An: $11
  • Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Full-Day Tour from Da Nang: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pokhara $5.75
    Da Nang $8.94


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.