Should you visit Kathmandu or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Boston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Kathmandu or Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
Which place is cheaper, Boston or Kathmandu?
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 Kathmandu is $59, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. 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 Kathmandu and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Boston? 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:
Kathmandu Hotel Prices and
Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
-
Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport :
$15
-
Private Airport Transfers – TIA Kathmandu Arrival & Departure:
$15
-
Mount Everest Scenic Tour by Plane with Transfers:
$15
-
Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers:
$16
-
Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle:
$20
-
Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle :
$20
-
Deluxe Toyota Coaster Mini Bus Transfer From Kathmandu to Pokhara or V. V. :
$22
-
Rent a Private Car with Driver for Kathmandu City Transfer :
$25
-
Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal:
$45
-
Kathmandu to Namobuddha Transfer by Private AC Car One Way:
$50
-
Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu:
$60
-
Kathmandu to Chitwan Transfer by Private AC Car One Way:
$70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi
$35
-
Subway Daily Pass
$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
-
Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
BOS Airport Private Transfer to Boston Downtown:
$37
-
Boston Logan Airport Chauffeur, Boston Airport private Transfer:
$50
-
Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer:
$61
-
Boston Airport (BOS) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer :
$70
-
Manchester–Boston Regional Airport to Manchester - Arrival Private Transfer:
$75
-
Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS):
$81
-
Private Transfer from Boston Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port:
$82
-
One Way Airport Transfer Service:
$85
-
Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$94
-
Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS:
$97
-
Private Airport Transfer to/from Logan Airport:
$99
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston and Kathmandu 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
Kathmandu $14
Boston $86
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
-
Self Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Solo Walking Tour :
$5.50
-
Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours:
$34
-
Boston Freedom Trail History and Food Tour:
$39
-
Freedom Trail History and Food Tour:
$39
-
Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour:
$65
-
Boston Pizza Lovers Food & History Walking Food Tour:
$69
-
North End Pizza Walking Tour with 3 Slices & Cannoli:
$69
-
2-Hour Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef in Boston:
$75
-
North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese:
$75
-
Pizza, Beer, and Paul Revere Tour:
$75
-
City Cruises Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise:
$89
-
Boston’s Politically Incorrect North End Food tour:
$98
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Full Day Guided Tour in Kathmandu:
$5.00
-
Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group:
$5.00
-
Full Day Private Tour of Seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu:
$5.00
-
Bhaktapur & Nagarkot Day Tour with Lunch - Private/Group:
$5.00
-
Scenic Swayambhunath & Chandragiri Cable Car Tour:
$5.00
-
Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group:
$5.00
-
Nepali Tea Tasting Lifetime Experience :
$8.00
-
Kathmandu Durbar Square Walking Tour:
$10
-
Private World Heritage Sites Tour/ 4 UNESCO Tour. :
$10
-
Walking Tour from Bazaar to Hippie Hub Ason and Freak Street:
$10
-
Privet Day Tours in Kathmandu Nepal :
$10
-
Private Kathmandu City Tour/ 7 UNESCO World Heritage Tour :
$10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
-
2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour:
$5.00
-
Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour:
$5.00
-
The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour:
$5.00
-
Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End:
$5.75
-
Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem:
$7.75
-
Harvard's Haunts Solo Smart Phone Guided App Ghost Walking Tour:
$7.75
-
Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour:
$7.75
-
City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour:
$7.99
-
Boston's Old North Church Admission with Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$8.00
-
Boston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour:
$8.32
-
Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour:
$8.93
-
Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour:
$8.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
-
Boston Bar Crawl Back Bay Beat Bar Craw:
$15
-
Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl:
$29
-
Boston Haunted Pub Crawl:
$35
-
Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns:
$35
-
2 Hour Historic Pub Crawl in Boston:
$35
-
Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures:
$36
-
Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl :
$36
-
History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail:
$56
-
Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour:
$60
-
Freedom Trail History Tour and Brewery Taste:
$71
-
Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston:
$75
-
Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery in Boston:
$75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu is in Asia and Boston is in North America, 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 Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Boston?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Boston, 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.
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