A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pokhara vs. Shiretoko National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pokhara or Shiretoko National Park?

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 Shiretoko National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pokhara or Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Shiretoko National Park or Pokhara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $19, while the average daily cost in Shiretoko National Park is $74. 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 Shiretoko National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pokhara $3.92
    Shiretoko National Park $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pokhara $7.84
    Shiretoko National Park $66
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Shiretoko National Park

Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park


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 Shiretoko National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pokhara $7.65
    Shiretoko National Park $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:


  • 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
  • From Kathmandu: Luxury Sofa Seater Bus Transfer to Pokhara: $23
  • 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: $94
  • Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Shiretoko National Park?

Prices for flights to both Shiretoko National Park 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 $8.11
    Shiretoko National Park $25
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.51
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $3.01
  • Pastries
    $1.50
  • 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
  • Nepali Cooking Class Experience and Momo Making: $28
  • 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
  • Typical Nepali Snack set cooking class in Pokhara: $74
  • 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
  • Tour with Dinner to Trout Fish Farm - Bhujung River : $98
  • Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pokhara $7.28
    Shiretoko National Park $15

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
  • Full Day Pokhara City Sightseeing by Sharing Bus Group Tour: $6.71
  • Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $8.12
  • 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
  • Group Joining Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $11
  • Pokhara/Baidam: Himalayas Sunrise Views from Sarangkot Tour: $12
  • Sarangkot Sunrise Spectacle: Unforgettable Tour from Pokhara: $12
  • Budget Unguided Tour By Sharing Bus: $12
  • City Tour in Sharing Bus : $12
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu Tourist Bus Ticket : $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pokhara $6.57
    Shiretoko National Park $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.