How Much Does Kathmandu Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Kathmandu serves as the high-altitude gateway for Himalayan adventures, offering a cost profile that ranges from incredibly affordable to surprisingly premium. For budget travelers, daily costs can sit as low as $26 / NPR 3,726, while those seeking heritage luxury or private trekking logistics may spend upwards of $386 / NPR 56,235 per day. While the city remains significantly cheaper than Western capitals or even regional hubs like Bangkok, outdoor-specific expenses like the $21 / NPR 3,008 national park entrance fees and mandatory trekking permits can quickly elevate a base budget. Travelers should expect a landscape where basic local services are inexpensive, but imported goods and specialized mountain gear carry a notable premium. Navigating this balance requires distinguishing between local 'bhojanalayas' and the tourist-centric cafes of the Thamel district.
Is Kathmandu expensive to visit?
Kathmandu is a highly affordable adventure hub, with daily expenses typically ranging from $26 / NPR 3,726 for budget trekkers to $386 / NPR 56,235 for luxury travelers.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Kathmandu
$26
per person /day
$96
per person /day
$386
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $77 | $287 | $1,158 |
| 5-Day Trip | $128 | $479 | $1,930 |
| 7-Day Trip | $179 | $670 | $2,702 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% budget buffer is recommended to cover mandatory hidden costs such as the $33–$55 / NPR 4,801–NPR 7,991 tourist visa and the $14 / NPR 2,005 TIMS card required for trekking. Additionally, most upscale restaurants and hotels will add a mandatory 10% service charge and 13% VAT to the listed menu prices.
How Does It Compare?
See how Kathmandu stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Kathmandu
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant Typical for a sit-down meal in Thamel or Patan. Roughly $17 / NPR 2,507 for two. | $17 NPR 2,507 |
| Domestic Beer (Everest/Gorkha 650ml) Alcohol is heavily taxed in Nepal; a large beer often costs as much as a main course. ~$5.17 / NPR 753. | $5.17 NPR 753 |
| Cappuccino (Thamel Cafe) Specialty coffee in Thamel typically ranges from ~$1.65 / NPR 240 to $2.71 / NPR 394. Price includes VAT. | $2.41 NPR 352 |
| Street Food Plate (10 Momos) Found at local 'bhojanalayas' or street stalls. Roughly $1.72 / NPR 250 per plate. | $1.72 NPR 250 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Prepaid Taxi to Thamel Pay at the official counter inside the arrivals hall to avoid aggressive touts outside. Costs ~$6.19 / NPR 902. | $6.19 NPR 902 |
| Sajha Yataya Local Bus Fare The most reliable and 'spacious' public buses in the city. Roughly $0.21 / NPR 31. | $0.21 NPR 31 |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) Base rate before negotiation. Short trips within central Kathmandu usually cost ~$2.21 / NPR 322. | $2.21 NPR 322 |
| Pathao Bike-Hail (Short Trip) Fastest way to move through Kathmandu traffic. A 5km (3.1-mile) trip costs ~$1.04 / NPR 151. | $1.04 NPR 151 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Alobar1000 Hostel - Private Room Verified rate for one of Thamel's most popular social hostels. Roughly $12 / NPR 1,771 per night. | $12 NPR 1,771 |
| Kailash Boutique Hotel - 3-star (Nightly) Quality mid-range option in the heart of Thamel. Approximately $64 / NPR 9,389 per night. | $64 NPR 9,387 |
| Average 5-star Hotel Room (Nightly) Luxury tier average for premium properties like the Hyatt Regency or Marriott. Approximately $100 / NPR 14,535. | $100 NPR 14,535 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu Durbar Square Entrance Fee Bring your passport to the site office to get a multi-day pass for no extra cost. Roughly $6.89 / NPR 1,003. | $6.89 NPR 1,003 |
| Bhaktapur Durbar Square Entrance Fee Highest entry fee in the valley. SAARC nationals pay only $5.51 / NPR 803 ($5.51 / NPR 803). International rate is ~$12 / NPR 1,804. | $12 NPR 1,804 |
| Boudhanath Stupa Entry Fee The fee is collected at booths on the entry streets to the stupa circle. Roughly $2.75 / NPR 401. | $2.75 NPR 401 |
| Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) Entry Pay at the bottom of the main staircase or the side road entrance. Roughly $1.38 / NPR 201. | $1.38 NPR 201 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ncell Tourist SIM (20GB / 28 Days) Easily available at the airport. Bring a passport photo and a copy of your visa. ~$14 / NPR 1,999. | $14 NPR 1,999 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by a stark contrast between local street stalls, where a plate of ten momos costs just $1.72 / NPR 250, and sit-down mid-range restaurants where a meal for two averages $17 / NPR 2,507. Alcohol is a significant budget-killer due to high taxes, with a 650ml domestic beer often costing $5.17 / NPR 753—nearly three times the price of a local meal. Coffee culture is thriving in Thamel, where a quality cappuccino typically costs around $2.41 / NPR 352 in modern cafes.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Yangling Tibetan Restaurant
$2.41–$4.81 / NPR 352–NPR 701Thamel · Local chain
Try their legendary pork or buff momos; it's often packed with locals and trekkers. Plate is ~$2.41 / NPR 352.
OR2K
$4.13–$8.26 / NPR 602–NPR 1,204Thamel · Local chain
Great floor seating atmosphere. The OR2K Platter is a massive vegetarian feast for ~$6.19 / NPR 902.
Mitho Restaurant
$3.1–$6.19 / NPR 451–NPR 902Thamel · Local chain
Excellent local Dal Bhat that is bottomless (refills are free). Roughly $3.1 / NPR 451.
Momotarou
$3.44–$6.89 / NPR 501–NPR 1,003Thamel/Lazimpat · Local chain
Solid Japanese comfort food at a fraction of international prices. A full ramen is ~$3.79 / NPR 552.
Hot Momos
$1.04–$2.06 / NPR 151–NPR 300Thamel/Jyatha · Street food area
Unbeatable value for a quick lunch. 10 pieces of buffalo momo cost ~$1.04 / NPR 151.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Moving through Kathmandu's dense traffic is most efficient via the Pathao bike-hailing app, which costs approximately $1.04 / NPR 151 for a 5km (3.1-mile) trip. For those on a strict budget, the Sajha Yataya local buses offer the most reliable public transport at just $0.21 / NPR 31 per fare. Taxis are widely available, with a standard base tariff of $2.21 / NPR 322 for a 1-mile trip, though negotiation is frequently required for longer distances.
Accommodation Overview
Thamel remains the primary hub for lodging, where social hubs like Alobar1000 Hostel provide private rooms for roughly $12 / NPR 1,771. Mid-range boutique hotels, such as the Kailash Boutique Hotel, offer significantly more comfort for about $64 / NPR 9,387 per night. For luxury seekers, 5-star properties like the Hyatt Regency average around $100 / NPR 14,535, providing a quiet escape from the city's dust and noise.
Accommodation Budget in Kathmandu
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Bring a passport photo and a copy of your visa to the Kathmandu Durbar Square office to convert your $6.89 / NPR 1,003 entrance fee into a multi-day pass at no extra cost.
- 2 Download the Pathao or Indriver apps to avoid the steep 'tourist tax' on standard street taxis, securing bike rides for as little as $1.04 / NPR 151.
- 3 Eat at Yangling Tibetan Restaurant in Thamel for authentic, high-quality momos and thukpa that are significantly cheaper than Western-style cafes.
- 4 Refill your water bottles at hotels or 'Water ATM' stations rather than buying plastic bottles to save money and reduce waste.
- 5 Buy trekking snacks and supplies at large supermarkets in Thamel or Lazimpat rather than at smaller shops along the trekking trails where prices double.
- 6 Get your Ncell Tourist SIM card ($14 / NPR 1,999 for 20GB) at the airport arrivals hall to avoid higher prices or connectivity issues in the city center.
- 7 Walk between Thamel, Asan Tole, and Kathmandu Durbar Square; these areas are highly congested, and walking is often faster and entirely free.
- 8 Use the Sajha Yataya buses (bright green) for trips to Patan; they are the most spacious public option at only $0.21 / NPR 31.
- 9 Negotiate gear rentals in Thamel for long-term use; many shops will offer discounts if you rent sleeping bags or down jackets for more than 10 days.
- 10 Avoid the $12 / NPR 1,804 Bhaktapur entry fee by staying overnight in the city; some guesthouses can help facilitate longer-stay permits.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
+20-35%
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan
-30-50%
Feb, Sep
Monsoon (Jun–Aug) brings heavy rain and flight cancellations, but luxury hotels drop to ~$53 / NPR 7,717. Autumn (Oct–Nov) has the clearest mountain views but the highest prices.
Events to Watch
- ● Dashain Festival (Oct): Taxis/Transport +50%
- ● Tihar Festival (Nov): Hotel availability low
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the chaotic and colorful Asan Tole market, the oldest bazaar in the city.
- 2 Visit the Kathesimbhu Stupa, a 17th-century miniature replica of Swayambhunath located between Thamel and Durbar Square.
- 3 Walk through the narrow alleyways of Indra Chowk to see traditional cloth merchants and bead markets.
- 4 Observe the ritual stone water spouts (Hitis) in the old quarters of Patan.
- 5 Hike up to the entrance of the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park for views of the valley before the ticketed zone.
- 6 Visit the Seto Machindranath Temple, a hidden courtyard temple located off Janabahal.
- 7 Wander through the pottery squares of Bhaktapur to watch artisans at work (viewable from public streets).
- 8 Explore the various small shrines and Newari architecture in the Thahiti Square area.
- 9 Watch the daily life and traditional woodcarvers in the streets surrounding Patan's main squares.
- 10 Walk to the hilltop of Chobar Gorge for a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.
- 11 Visit the Sankhu Village at the edge of the valley to see ancient Newari stone carvings.
- 12 Attend the evening 'Aarti' ceremony at Pashupatinath by watching from the public banks of the Bagmati River.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Everest Experience Mountain Flight
Guarantees a window seat and views of Mt. Everest for those not trekking. Cost is ~$252 / NPR 36,748.
Dwarika's Hotel Heritage Dinner
A 6-to-22 course traditional Nepali meal in the city's most beautiful heritage hotel (~$71 / NPR 10,289).
Private Helicopter Tour to Everest Base Camp
The ultimate Nepal splurge: breakfast at Everest View Hotel and landing at Kala Patthar (~$1,262 / NPR 183,827).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Kathmandu
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Kathmandu and what they cost
Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike
$34 / NPR 5,012 by private taxi
$2.41 / NPR 352
$52 / NPR 7,519
Chandragiri Hills
$14 / NPR 2,005 by taxi + cable car
$26 / NPR 3,769
$38 / NPR 5,515
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
1 $ ≈ 146 Rs
Yes
Widely accepted in Thamel hotels and upscale restaurants; cash strictly required for entry fees, taxis, and local eateries.
10% service charge is usually included in bills. For guides, $6.89–$14 / NPR 1,003–NPR 2,006 per day is standard. Round up taxi fares by ~$0.71 / NPR 103.
Nabil Bank and Standard Chartered ATMs in Thamel are most reliable for international cards. Expect a fee of ~$4.12 / NPR 600 per withdrawal.
Essential for taxis and street markets in Thamel. Aim for 20-30% off the first quoted price, but do not bargain at fixed-price handicraft cooperatives.
Connectivity
eSIM: $11–$18 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $14 / NPR 1,999 ($14 / NPR 1,999) for a 28-day 20GB tourist pack.
WiFi: Reliable in Thamel and Boudha cafés; slow or non-existent in budget guesthouses.
Buy a local Ncell or NTC SIM card at the airport ($14 / NPR 1,999 plan) for the best coverage and speed.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Kathmandu.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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