Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Beirut or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Kathmandu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Kathmandu?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
-
Beirut Prices
Lebanon PricesKathmandu Prices
Nepal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.77Kathmandu $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.77, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $59. 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 Beirut and Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Kathmandu $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Kathmandu $76
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Kathmandu $6.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Airport Departure Transfer From Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: From your hotel in Beirut to Airport: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $50
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Yoga Experience Day Trip with Private Transfer From Kathmandu: $152
- Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer : $25
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Private Transfer to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu or Pokhara: $170
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Dhulikhel with return transfers from Kathmandu: $124
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $88
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or To Chitwan or To Lumbini & V V: $145
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
- Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
- Private Airport Transfers – TIA Kathmandu Arrival & Departure: $15
- Pokhara:Paragliding & River Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $1.23Kathmandu $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.28
-
Dinner for Two$2.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Women Lead Nepali Cooking & Momo-Making Class: $8.00
- Cultural Stay in Kathmandu and experience dinner with family: $18
- Secret Food Tour - Food Bites and Sights in Kathmandu: $27
- Private Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu in Peace & quiet place: $30
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Kathmandu Food Tour : $32
- Cook and Eat: Cooking Class in Kathmandu near Thamel: $34
- Walking Street Food Tour in Kathmandu: $48
- Cooking Class with Vyas: $49
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
- Local Cooking Class in Chitwan with Local Style Wood Fire: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Kathmandu $7.58
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Small Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour to Sidon, Tyre and Maghdouche with hotel pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $15
- Small-Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $15
- Small-Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel pickup: $20
- Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $30
- New Cost Saver Small-Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos: $30
- Guided Small-Group Tour to Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara with Lunch: $30
- Beirut Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $37
- Chouwen Lake Hike Adventure: A Scenic Day Trip from Beirut: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.42
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.54
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.42
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Tour : $235
- 4-Hour Private Car Sunrise tour over Mount Everest in Nagarkot: $129
- Discover Kathmandu Valley: A Day Tour Through Time and Tradition: $96
- Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
- Manakamana Darshan- Day Tour: $180
- Nagarkot & Bhaktapur Tour with Private Transport: $60
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $116
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
- 1 Day Gay Tour Nepal: $155
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Kathmandu $5.45
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $50
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $104
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
- PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
- Half-Day Private Chateau Musar and Ixsir Wine Tour from Beirut: $187
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $235
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Kathmandu?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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.