Which place is cheaper, Hanoi or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara or Hanoi?
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 Hanoi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Hanoi?
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.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
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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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesHanoi Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $22Hanoi $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $57. 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.46Hanoi $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.92Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Hanoi
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Hanoi? 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 Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.75Hanoi $6.56
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:
- "Exclusive Private Transfer: Pokhara to Chitwan in a Luxury car": $82
- Bandipur to Kathmandu Private Car Service | Best Private Transfer: $70
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
- From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $250
- From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
- Half Day Pokhara White Water River Rafting with Hotel Transfers: $70
- 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: One Way Private Transfer: $295
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.04
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- 1 Day Halong Cruise Tour with Transfer and early return to Hanoi: $41
- 1 Day Tour to Halong Bay Cruise from 3 - 5 star Cruise & Transfer: $32
- 2 Days 1 night Ba Be Lake BEST ADVENTURE: transfer,homestay,boat,kayak,swim,cave: $153
- 2 Days Halong Bay With Budget Cruise - Including Transfer From Hanoi: $148
- 2-Day Adenture Pu Luong Motorbike Tour with Transfer from HANOI: $125
- 2-Day Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Tour With Transfer - Best Seller: $120
- 2-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay With Transfer: $190
- 2-Day In Halong Bay Cruise With Transfer From Hanoi: $200
- 2-Day Ninh Binh & Ha Long Bay With Transfer, Meals, Guide: $210
- 2-Day Sapa Package Tours & Limousine Transfer: $150
- 25 Minutes Scenic Halong Seaplane from Hanoi Transfer Expressway: $280
- 3-Day Pu Luong Jungle Ride Motorbike Tour Transfer from Hanoi: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Hanoi?
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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 $12Hanoi $23
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$3.98
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Dessert (for 2)$2.65
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Pastries$1.33
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Dinner$5.64
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
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.18
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.87
- Private Hanoi Cycling Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By Bike: $1.87
- Private Sapa Cooking Class With Ethnic Minorities Chef From Sapa: $1.87
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $20
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with egg coffee making: $20
- Walking food tour & Train Street visit small group: $21
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Hidden Local Eats & Full Meal Experience: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.42Hanoi $8.10
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
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
- Pokhara City Tour in Sharing Bus: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu VIP Sofa Tourist Bus | Daily Departure: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.66
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hanoi Old Quarter City Sightseeing Cycling Private Tour By Cyclo: $1.79
- Sapa Cat Cat Village, Y Linh Ho Tour By Motorbike Or Walking: $1.87
- Hanoi Old Quarter City Sightseeing Walking Tour With Funny Guide: $1.87
- Hanoi City Private Tour With Street Food Experience & Aquarium: $1.87
- Hanoi Quang Phu Cau Incense Village Tour With Coffee Train Street: $1.87
- 2-Day Ninh Binh Adventure: Trang An, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Cave: $1.87
- Ha Long Bay Cruise Tour with Canoe, Kayaking, Titov Island: $1.87
- Private Hanoi City Sightseeing Shore Excursion From Halong Port: $1.87
- From Sapa Trek, Cat Cat Village & Fansipan Summit Tour: $1.87
- Ninh Binh Private Tour: Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Thung Nham Bird Park: $1.87
- Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay Cruise 2 Day Tour: National Park, Cave: $1.87
- Full-Day Mai Chau Valley Tour from Hanoi with Cycling, Culture: $1.87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.80Hanoi $7.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hanoi Night Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Free Shots: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Hanoi, we can see that Hanoi 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 Hanoi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hanoi 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 Hanoi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Hanoi?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Hanoi, 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.