Is Nepal Expensive?

Is Nepal expensive to visit?

Nepal is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. It's generally not considered to be expensive at all, and our cost analysis agrees. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a reasonably affordable country. It stands in the top 25% of countries in Asia for its affordability. This makes it comparable with destinations such as India and Sri Lanka.

With a few popular places to visit for tourists, Nepal has some popular destinations with a variety of prices. The most expensive is Kathmandu. If you're looking for a cheaper place, you can visit Pokhara.


Average daily price of selected cities in Nepal, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Kathmandu $57
Mount Everest $40
Royal Chitwan National Park $35
Pokhara $19


Thorong La Pass, Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

How expensive is Nepal?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Nepal tends to be around $40 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Nepal here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Nepal?

A one week trip to Nepal costs about $279 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $557.

How expensive is a two week trip to Nepal?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Nepal costs around $557 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,114.

How expensive is a month long trip to Nepal?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Nepal will cost around $1,194 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $2,387.



Prayer Wheels, Nepal

Is it expensive to backpack in Nepal?

Nepal is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 80 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $5 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Nepal here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Kathmandu. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Kathmandu has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $5 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Pokhara with an average cost of $5 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Nepal.

  • $6 for a dorm bed at Elbrus Home in Kathmandu
  • $6 for a dorm bed at Kiwi Backpackers Hostel Pokhara in Pokhara
  • $6 for a dorm bed at The Glasshouse Hotel in Chitwan

Where to find affordable hostels in Nepal
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Kathmandu 50 $5
Pokhara 21 $5

Are hotels expensive in Nepal?

Hotel prices in Nepal are significantly cheaper compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $35 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Nepal are more expensive than others, like Royal Chitwan National Park, where hotel prices average $58 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Kathmandu, averaging $27 per night for a hotel room.


Where to find affordable hotels in Nepal
City Average Hotel Price
Royal Chitwan National Park $58
Nagarkot $54
Bhaktapur $32
Pokhara $29
Kathmandu $27

Ramhiti, Tinchuli, Boudha, Kathmandu
Overall Rating 9.2
Gaurighat, Lakeside 6, Pokhara
Overall Rating 8.9


Pokhara, Nepal

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Nepal?

In Nepal, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $8 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

    • Private tour of Major highlights of Kathmandu top rated places: $59
    • Afternoon Tibetan Cultural Tour to Tibetan Settlements Pokhara: $60
    • Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu: $37
    • Kathmandu Guided Tour: $120
    • The Most Beautiful 1 Day Experience in Kathmandu Nepal: $100
    • Kathmandu Heritage & Monuments Sightseeing: $80
    • Kathmandu Valley City Tour- Day Tour: $145
    • Half-Day Private Pokhara Tour : $57

    Is food expensive in Nepal?

    In Nepal, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $8 per day on food, per person.

    • Nepalese Momos/ Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
    • Walking Food Tour in Hidden Local Eateries of Kathmandu: $40
    • Secret Food Tour in Kathmandu: $33
    • Cooking class in kathmandu( Women empowerment project): $30
    • Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
    • Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12


    An Elephant in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal

    Is transportation expensive in Nepal?

    Local transportation in Nepal can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $10 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    Expenses for intercity transportation within Nepal can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $51 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

    More for Nepal

    If you're planning a trip to Nepal, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



    If you want to share the information, here's how. down-arrow
    • You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page.
    • For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code, or this page's address.