Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu?
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 Kathmandu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Kathmandu?
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.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Nepal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nepal.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $21Kathmandu $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $21, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $54. 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 Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.37Kathmandu $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.74Kathmandu $68
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Kathmandu? 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 Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.58Kathmandu $5.98
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$0.65
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
- From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
- White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Airport Transfers in Kathmandu – Pickup OR Drop-Off Service: $15
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Day Trip to Water and Amusement Park and Kirtipur sightseeing with Transfer: $87
- Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V.: $22
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $12
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu 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 $12Kathmandu $13
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$3.88
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Dessert (for 2)$2.59
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Pastries$1.29
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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
- 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
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
- Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River: $98
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.16
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Dinner for Two$2.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Saturday Hidden Kathmandu Walk and Food Tour: $10
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Everest Eats Kathmandu Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Exotic Food Tour Newari Flavors and Evening Trails 15 Tastings: $40
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.26Kathmandu $6.92
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
- Pokhara to Chitwan Tourist Bus Sofa seater: $9.00
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas: Tour 3 hour private tour: $9.16
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Sofa Bus: $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.29
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.23
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.29
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa: $6.60
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu: $8.00
- Patan & Bhaktapur Heritage Tour with Lunch.: $9.00
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Chitwan to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Tickets: $10
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Sofa Bus: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.65Kathmandu $4.93
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Kathmandu, 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.