Daily costs per person in US dollars. Kathmandu is one of the cheapest capital cities in Asia for travellers — these ranges cover budget backpacker to comfortable mid-range.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: NPR (Nepalese Rupee) (Cash preferred, cards in upscale venues)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $4–8 | $15–35 | $50+ | Dormitory → guesthouse → boutique hotel |
| Food | $5–10 | $10–20 | $25+ | Dal bhat → local restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | $1–3 | $5–15 | $20+ | Local bus → shared taxi → private car |
| Activities | $2–5 | $10–25 | $40+ | Self-guided → group tours → private guides |
| Entry Fees | $3–8 | $8–15 | $15–25 | Student discounts available at some sites |
| Daily Total | $15–35 | $50–110 | $150+ | Budget backpacker → comfortable mid → luxury |
Money-saving tips
Eat dal bhat — unlimited refills
Dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, vegetable curries) is Nepal's staple meal and comes with unlimited refills at most local restaurants for 300-500 NPR. Eating dal bhat twice daily is the cheapest and most filling way to eat in Kathmandu.
Bargain in Thamel
Thamel prices for trekking gear, souvenirs, and clothing are inflated for tourists. Start at 40% of the asking price and negotiate firmly but politely. Locals pay 50-70% less than the initial tourist price.
Use local buses
Local micro-buses and tempos connect all major sites in the Kathmandu Valley for 20-50 NPR per ride. They are crowded and chaotic but incredibly cheap compared to taxis (500-1500 NPR for the same route).
Stay in guesthouses
Basic but clean guesthouses in Thamel start at 500-800 NPR per night for a private room. Budget hotels with hot water and WiFi run 1000-2000 NPR. There is no need to book expensive hotels in Kathmandu.
Get multi-day passes
Durbar Square tickets can be validated for multi-day access at no extra cost. Ask at the ticket office — this saves 1000 NPR each subsequent visit.
Drink chiya, not coffee
Nepali milk tea (chiya) costs 20-40 NPR at street stalls compared to 200-400 NPR for Western-style coffee at tourist cafes. It is delicious and ubiquitous — every street corner has a chiya stall.
