Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kathmandu or Dewa Sanzan?
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 Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan?
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.
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesDewa Sanzan Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $59Dewa Sanzan $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $59, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $86. 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 Dewa Sanzan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $38Dewa Sanzan $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $76Dewa Sanzan $58
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Dewa Sanzan
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Dewa Sanzan? 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 Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.56Dewa Sanzan $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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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 Kathmandu or Dewa Sanzan?
Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan 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
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Food Meals for one dayKathmandu $14Dewa Sanzan $43
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.28
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.58Dewa Sanzan $9.56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.42
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.54
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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
Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan
For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mount Haguro E-Bike Sightseeing Tour in Yamagata, Japan: $202
- Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.45Dewa Sanzan $7.53
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 Kathmandu and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.
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.