Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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 Kyoto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $21Kyoto $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $21, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $110. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.37Kyoto $62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.74Kyoto $124
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.58Kyoto $7.33
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 Private Transfer: Pokhara to Chitwan in a Luxury car": $82
- "Exclusive Round-Trip Transfer: Pokhara to Jomsom & Muktinath": $191
- 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
- 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 Transfer by Private Car: $99
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
- Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $133
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $271
- Private Transfer Between Kansai Airport and Kyoto Hotels: $239
- Private Transfer Between Osaka Cruise Port and Kyoto Hotels: $203
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $149
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $216
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $78
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $12Kyoto $40
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
- 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
- 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
- Full-Day Pokhara Private Couples Romantic Getaway with Dinner: $300
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto:Exclusive Geisha(Maiko) Show with Dinner, Games & Open Bar: $32
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $42
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe Night Parade Dinner Party: $52
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $52
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $57
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $60
- Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $70
- Japanese Cuisine Cooking Class in Kyoto: $71
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $71
- Japanese 'Bento' cooking class in Kyoto: $83
- Gion & Pontocho Food Tour with 13 Dishes: $84
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.26Kyoto $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
- 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
- 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
- Sarangkot Sunrise & Private Full-Day Highlights Tour: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Sofa Bus: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kyoto Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $6.47
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.12
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $11
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
- Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $15
- Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono: $16
- Japanese Coin Ring-Making Experience with Your Choice of Coin: $16
- Kyoto Arashiyama Easy Walk Tour: $17
- Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour: $19
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.65Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Pub Crawl & Bar Hopping Night with Local friend: $29
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $76
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $86
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $96
- Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $110
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Kyoto, 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.