Which place is cheaper, Mount Everest or Pokhara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pokhara or Mount Everest?
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 Mount Everest can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Mount Everest?
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.
Mount Everest
More commonly known as Mount Everest, Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world with a peak reaching 8,848 meters above sea level. Pilgrims trek long distances to worship its divine aura, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude, and visitors from all over come to see where the tallest reaches of earth meet the heavens.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $19Mount Everest $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $19, while the average daily cost in Mount Everest is $40. 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 Mount Everest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.92Mount Everest $6.84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $7.84Mount Everest $14
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Mount Everest
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Mount Everest? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $7.65Mount Everest -
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
- 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: $93
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $97
- Kathmandu: Private Transfer From or To Pokhara: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Mount Everest?
Prices for flights to both Mount Everest 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 $8.11Mount Everest $26
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
- 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
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
- Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115
- Pokhara 4 Hours Private Indian Authentic Naga Dish Cooking Class: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $7.28Mount Everest $18
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
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $6.23
- Full Day Pokhara City Sightseeing by Sharing Bus Group Tour: $6.70
- 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
- Pokhara City Tour in Sharing Bus: $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
- City Tour in Sharing Bus : $12
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Luxury Tourist Bus Ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $6.57Mount Everest -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Mount Everest, we can see that Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest Expensive?.
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.