Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Santorini?
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 Santorini or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Kathmandu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Santorini or Kathmandu?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Santorini Prices
Greece PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €250Kathmandu €48
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is €48. 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 Santorini and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €118Kathmandu €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €236Kathmandu €60
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €35Kathmandu €5.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Santorini Private Transfer | Airport, Port & Hotels: $16
- Prestige Transfers Tours Airport Port Hotel and Cruise Ship: $18
- Economy Roundtrip Transfer Santorini Airport ( Max 4 stop ): $18
- Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $19
- Private Transfers Across Santorini: $21
- Private Transfer from Santorini Port to Santorini Airport (JTR): $21
- Santorini, Private Transfer with Luxury Airconditioned Vehicle: $22
- VIP taxi transfer: $23
- Private Transfer Santorini: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer From Santorini Airport To All Destinations: $23
- Shared Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer In Airport & Port: $25
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€1.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Lukla Flight Ticket with Sharing Transfer Service: $270
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Pokhara Hotels: $244
- Everest Scenic Flight with Window Seat and Transfer: $239
- Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $185
- Mount Everest Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat & Transfers: $180
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $180
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $144
- Kathmandu to Lumbini One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Santorini 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 daySantorini €96Kathmandu €11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $71
- Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $93
- Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise with Greek BBQ Dinner: $94
- Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class: $100
- Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine: $106
- The Aegean Cooking Class at Ftelos Brewery: $117
- Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef: $127
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $129
- Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $141
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner with Pick-up Option: $141
- Santorini : Cooking Class & Easy Hike: $145
- Miss Anna Santorini Cooking Class: $153
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert€1.03
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Dinner for Two€2.28
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
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu: $17
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $18
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $20
- Authentic Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $23
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $24
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35Kathmandu €6.10
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Fira Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h00 and 16 audio reviews: $6.92
- Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia: $9.99
- Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $16
- Greek Cheese Tasting Experience in Santorini: $23
- Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site: $33
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $35
- Santorini Volcano Cruise with Free Time in Thirasia from Athinios: $35
- Fira to Oia Best Taxi-Style Tour!: $35
- Santorini Volcano & Sunset Caldera Cruise: $35
- Authentic Pyrgos Village Donkey Ride and Feeding Experience: $35
- Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Tender Port Pickup: $38
- E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $41
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€1.14
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two€2.85
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Swayambhunath Stupa€1.14
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Kathmandu 7 UNESCO Heritage Tour: $70
- 1 Day Kathmandu Heritage 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch: $99
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $35
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 2 Day Kathmandu City with Nagarkot Sunrise, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Tour: $236
- 2 Day Kathmandu Sightseeing with Panauti, Namobuddha Tour from Kathmandu: $163
- 2 Day Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25Kathmandu €4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience: $41
- Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $41
- Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $61
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $65
- Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $73
- Santorini Wine Tasting Museum: $81
- Skip Sky Tram!! 5 Hour Hassle-Free Santorini Tour & Wine Tasting: $83
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini: $90
- Caldera Views, Cliffside Villages, and Santorinian Wine Tasting: $100
- Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $104
- Guided ATV Tour with Wine Tasting: $117
- Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum: $123
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Kathmandu, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe and Kathmandu is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.