Which place is cheaper, Tokyo 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 Tokyo?
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 Tokyo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $21Tokyo $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $21, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $178. 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 Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.37Tokyo $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.74Tokyo $148
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.58Tokyo $17
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:
- Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
- Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
- "Exclusive Round-Trip Transfer: Pokhara to Jomsom & Muktinath": $191
- Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
- Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
- From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
- Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
- Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
- Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
- One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
- White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- (HND) Haneda Airport Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $97
- Airport Transfer: Haneda Airport and Tokyo 23 wards: $135
- Airport Transfer: Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Luxury Van: $275
- Arrival Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan: $292
- Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Haneda Airport: $110
- Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $292
- Departure Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by van: $180
- Disney/Universal Studio/Harry Potter Warner Bros Transfer One way: $124
- Experience Private Transfer Between Yokohama and Tokyo: $129
- Haneda Airport (HND) Transfers: One-Way to Central Tokyo/Yokohama: $86
- Haneda Airport (HND): Private Transfer to Hakone/Mount Fuji: $157
- Haneda Airport Private One Way Transfer To Center Tokyo: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $12Tokyo $63
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 Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.07
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.07
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Meal at Airport$6.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $23
- Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $39
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Giant Sushi Cooking Class: Make a 1.5m Sushi Roll in Tokyo: $42
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $49
- Japanese cooking class - Bring the flavors of Japan to France: $61
- [1 Group Only] Explore Tokyo Ginza Food Tour for Family: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.26Tokyo $66
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
- "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
- "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
- 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
- 110 Meters Bungee Jumping Tour in Pokhara: $105
- 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
- 2 Days Palpa-Tansen Hill station tour from Pokhara: $260
- 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
- 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $99
- 2-Day Scenic Mustang Tour: Pokhara to Jomsom, Kagbeni & Muktinath: $239
- 3 Day Pokhara and Himalayan Sunrise Private Tour: $239
- 3 Days Hiking Tour in Astam, Hyanjakot & Dhampus from Pokhara: $245
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $1.12
- Tsukiji Fish Market Morning Tour Most Fresh Tuna Fish: $3.23
- Experience Japan’s Beloved Morning Exercise – Radio Taiso”!: $5.18
- Shibuya Night Walking Tour with a Local in Tokyo: $6.47
- Mt Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi 1 day Private Bus Tour: $6.47
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.76
- Hidden Yanaka & Nezu: Authentic Old Tokyo Escape – Walking Tour: $9.70
- Shibuya drinking tour: $10
- Tokyo Hakone Kyoto Nara Osaka and Hiroshima AI Audio Tour: $11
- Shibuya Official Walking Tour– Max 8 Guests: $12
- TOKYO・Chiikawa Bakery Exploration with Shopping Ticket: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.65Tokyo $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.80
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $32
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Japanese Wine Tasting Experience (Not Sake) | Near Shibuya: $65
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Japanese Sake Brewery Day Tour: $84
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $91
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $91
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $104
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $104
- Saitama Seiun Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $130
- Saitama Matsuoka Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Tokyo, 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.