A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Moshi vs. Pokhara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Moshi or Pokhara?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Pokhara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Moshi or Pokhara?

Moshi

Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.

Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.


Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Moshi?

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 Moshi is $89, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is $23. 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 Moshi and Pokhara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moshi $39
    Pokhara $3.70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moshi $78
    Pokhara $7.40
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Pokhara

Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Pokhara? 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.

Hotels in Moshi


Hotels in Pokhara


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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moshi $18
    Pokhara $7.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi

Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer From Kilimanjaro International Airport 7 Seater: $42
  • Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $54
  • Airport transfer: $45
  • Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Private Transfer to Mount Kilimanjaro: $78
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
  • Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
  • Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:

  • VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer Between Pokhara and Kathmandu: $16
  • Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
  • Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
  • Private Transfer: Pokhara Hotels to Pokhara Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
  • Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
  • White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
  • Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
  • Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
  • Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
  • One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
  • Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Pokhara?

Prices for flights to both Pokhara and Moshi 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
    Moshi $36
    Pokhara $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi

For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
  • Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $86
  • 3 Days Chaga Culture: Cooking, NGO Projects, Banana Beer, Hiking: $207

Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.25
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $2.84
  • Pastries
    $1.42
  • Dinner
    $6.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.

  • Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
  • Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
  • MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
  • Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
  • 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
  • Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
  • Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
  • 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
  • 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Moshi $20
    Pokhara $6.87

Tours and Activities in Moshi

For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moshi sunset experience : $20
  • City tour and local food : $20
  • Private guided tour to the night lifestyle of Moshi town: $30
  • Materuni Waterfall Hike + Coffee tour and chemka Hot Spring : $30
  • Moshi city tour : $30
  • Day Tour Around Moshi Town in Tanzania: $33
  • Materuni Waterfall , Coffee Tour and Hotsprings (Chemka): $40
  • Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $40
  • 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
  • Bodaboda Experience to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour : $52
  • Marangu & Chagga - Cultural Day Tour form Moshi: $59
  • Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59

Tours and Activities in Pokhara

Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $99
  • Pokhara To Kathmandu Private Tour with Luxuries Car and Jeep: $100
  • “Pokhara in a Day: Guided Tour of Natural Wonders & Sacred Sites": $75
  • "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
  • "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
  • "Private Jeep Adventure: Scenic Drive to Dharapani from Pokhara": $200
  • "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
  • 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
  • 110 Meters Bungee Jumping Tour in Pokhara: $105
  • 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
  • 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
  • 2 Night 3 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $240

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moshi $3.59
    Pokhara $6.20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Pokhara, we can see that Moshi is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moshi is in Africa and Pokhara 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 Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Moshi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moshi than you might in Pokhara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Moshi or Pokhara?

Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Pokhara, 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.