Should you visit Santorini or Pokhara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Pokhara, 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 Pokhara?
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.
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.
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.
Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is €18. 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 Pokhara in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Pokhara? 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
Pokhara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Airport, Port and Hotel Private Transfer in Santorini:
$36
-
Arrival Transfer Santorini Airport to Athinios Por by Suv:
$38
-
Athinios Port Transfer to Anywhere in Santorini:
$30
-
Departure Private Transfer Anthinios Port to Santorini Airport:
$75
-
Departure Private Transfer Anthinios Port to Santorini Airport:
$48
-
Departure Transfer Athinios Port to Santorini Airport JTR by Suv:
$38
-
Economy Arrival Transfers From Santorini Airport To All Destinations:
$16
-
Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport:
$16
-
Economy Transfers From & To Santorini Port:
$26
-
Ferry Transfer Between Santorini and Paros:
$85
-
Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini:
$5,960
-
Luxury Santorini Catamaran Cruise: Lunch, BBQ, Drinks, Transfers:
$137
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
-
Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer:
$295
-
From One-Way Private Transfer to Kathmandu:
$250
-
Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom):
$205
-
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 Transfer by Private Car:
$99
-
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Pokhara?
Prices for flights to both Pokhara 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
-
Food
Meals for one day
Santorini €96
Pokhara €10
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 Cooking Class with Wine Tasting:
$80
-
Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise with Greek BBQ Dinner:
$95
-
Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine:
$95
-
Santorini Family Farm Food & Wine Tour with Cooking Class:
$101
-
Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Santorini:
$107
-
Santorini Flavors, a Cooking Class in a Dreamy Setting:
$131
-
Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers:
$131
-
Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu:
$131
-
Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers:
$142
-
Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings:
$148
-
Miss Anna Santorini Cooking Class:
$154
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
-
Dinner for Two
€3.35
-
Dessert (for 2)
€2.24
-
Pastries
€1.12
-
Dinner
€4.75
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
-
Organic Farm Tour and Cooking Class at Durku:
$115
Entertainment
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:
$2.31
-
Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia:
$9.99
-
Guided Art Tour Contemporary Art Meets a Quiet Santorini Village:
$18
-
Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini:
$24
-
Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site:
$33
-
Santorini Volcano & Sunset Caldera Cruise:
$36
-
Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Tender Port Pickup:
$36
-
Santorini Volcano Cruise with Free Time in Thirasia from Athinios:
$36
-
Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port:
$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
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 Night 2 Days Pokhara to Ghandruk Jeep Adventure:
$150
-
1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour:
$67
-
2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara:
$140
-
2 Days 1 Night Private Tour from Pokhara to Ghandruk Trek:
$200
-
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 Days Pokhara Private Comfortable Tour:
$154
-
3 Days and 2 Nights Chitwan National Park Safari Tour in Pokhara:
$215
Alcohol
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
-
Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini:
$91
-
Santorini Wine & Village Experience–Megalochori &Wine Tasting(4h):
$95
-
Caldera Views, Cliffside Villages, and Santorinian Wine Tasting:
$101
-
Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views:
$106
-
Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini:
$113
-
Santorini Wine Tasting & Oia Scenic Tour:
$114
-
Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum:
$125
-
Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia:
$131
-
Santorini Private Sightseeing Tour with Optional Wine Tasting:
$131
-
Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour:
$135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Pokhara, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe and Pokhara 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 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 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Pokhara?
Santorini has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Pokhara, 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.
Related Articles for Santorini
Related Articles for Pokhara