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 €47
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is €47. 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 €5.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Santorini Transfers for Groups: 24/7 We are at your service: $21
- Private Transfer from Santorini Port to Santorini Airport (JTR): $21
- Santorini, Private Transfer with Luxury Airconditioned Vehicle: $23
- Private Santorini Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $24
- VIP taxi transfer: $24
- Private Express One Way Taxi Transfer up to 2: $24
- Santorini One Way Private transfer: $24
- Private Arrival Transfer From Santorini Airport To All Destinations: $24
- Shared Transfer: $24
- Santorini Private Transfer between Airport or Port and Santorini: $26
- Santorini to Santorini Airport (JTR) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Santorini Airport (JTR) to Santorini - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
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€1.12
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
- Private Transfer by Car from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $210
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $200
- Mount Everest Flight with Guaranteed Window Seat & Transfers: $190
- Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers: $180
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $158
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
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: $72
- Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine: $95
- Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class: $101
- Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine: $107
- Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef: $129
- Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $131
- Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu: $131
- Santorini Flavors, a Cooking Class in a Dreamy Setting: $131
- Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $131
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner with Pick-up Option: $143
- Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $143
- Miss Anna Santorini Cooking Class: $155
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert€1.01
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Dinner for Two€2.24
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
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Home Made Authentic Nepali Dinner (veg/non vegg): $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
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking Class: $30
- Patan Food Tour Walking and Food Testing: $35
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights Kathmandu 14+ Tastings: $35
- Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35Kathmandu €5.98
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- Caldera, Villages and Sunsets Experience in Santorini: $2.32
- Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $17
- Guided Art Tour Contemporary Art Meets a Quiet Santorini Village: $18
- Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini: $24
- Santorini Volcanic Sunset Cruise: $35
- Fira to Oia Best Taxi-Style Tour!: $36
- Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $36
- Sunset Cruise Santorini Volcano: $36
- E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $42
- Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $42
- Santorini Tour of Caldera with Glass bottom Boat: $44
- Santorini Tour Of Caldera with Glass Bottom Boat: $44
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€1.12
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two€2.79
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Swayambhunath Stupa€1.12
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 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 Poon Hill Trek with 2 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour: $731
- 2 Days Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal: $146
- 2 Days and 1 Night Chitwan Safari Tour: $125
- 2 Night 3 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $235
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25Kathmandu €4.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer Tasting and Pairing Experience at Ftelos Brewery: $30
- Santorini Ftelos Brewery Guided Tour and Beer Tasting Experience: $42
- Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $65
- Santorini Private Sightseeing Tour with Optional Wine Tasting: $66
- Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini: $92
- Santorini Wine & Village Experience–Megalochori &Wine Tasting(4h): $95
- Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $106
- Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum: $125
- Santorini Wine Tasting & Premium Lunch at Award-Winning Winery: $131
- Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia: $131
- Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour: $136
- Santorini Private Highlights Tour & Wine Tasting with local guide: $173
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Bar Tour & Pub Crawl -Sip, Stroll, Repeat Thamel's Night: $75
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.