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

Should you visit Santorini or Pokhara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini 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: Santorini or Pokhara?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.


Which place is cheaper, Pokhara or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Santorini Prices
    Greece Prices
    Pokhara Prices
    Nepal Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santorini 250
    Pokhara 20

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Pokhara is €20. 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 Santorini and Pokhara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 118
    Pokhara 3.15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 236
    Pokhara 6.30
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Pokhara

Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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 Santorini


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Pokhara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 35
    Pokhara 6.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • “Santorini Airport Private Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfortable”: $29
  • 24h Luxury Santorini Transfer or Arrival or Departure one way: $72
  • Arrival Private Transfer Santorini Airport JTR or Port to Santorini by Minibus: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Santorini Airport JTR to Santorini by Sedan Car: $25
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR by Sedan Car: $25
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport: $19
  • Departure Transfer To Santorini Port: $36
  • Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport: $16
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,138
  • Luxury Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open bar & Transfer: $167
  • Oia Sunset Roundtrip Transfers: $54
  • Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer: $143

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:

  • Pokhara to Kathmandu: One Way Private Transfer: $295
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Kathmandu: $250
  • Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
  • Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150
  • Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
  • From 4-Day Poon Hill Trek with Transfers: $130
  • Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
  • Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu Transfer by Private Car: $99
  • "Exclusive Private Transfer: Pokhara to Chitwan in a Luxury car": $85
  • Pokhara to Kathmandu One Way Transfer by Private AC Car: $80
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Pokhara?

Prices for flights to both Pokhara and Santorini 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
    Santorini 96
    Pokhara 11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

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

  • Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $60
  • Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $94
  • The Aegean Cooking Class: $119
  • Santorini Flavors, a Cooking Class in a Dreamy Setting: $131
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $131
  • Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $143
  • Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings: $149
  • Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers: $155
  • Authentic Santorini Cooking Class Experience: $179
  • Santorini : Cooking Class & Easy Hike: $185
  • Traditional Kouzina Santorini Cooking Experience: $185
  • Santorini Private Wine Tasting with Dinner at Venetsanos Winery : $203

Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

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


  • Dinner for Two
    3.62
  • Dessert (for 2)
    2.42
  • Pastries
    1.21
  • Dinner
    5.13

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.
    Santorini 35
    Pokhara 5.85

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Caldera, Villages and Sunsets Experience in Santorini: $7.17
  • Private Self-Guided Audio Tour in Santorini: $9.56
  • Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $17
  • Guided Art Tour Contemporary Art Meets a Quiet Santorini Village: $36
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $36
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $42
  • E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $42
  • The Beer And The History semi private Experience: $42
  • Santorini Tour of Caldera with Glass bottom Boat: $44
  • Santorini for Cruise Ships: Avoid Cable Car Lines and Crowds!: $47
  • Santorini Top Attractions Tailor-made Private Tour made by locals: $48
  • Santorini Volcano Tour: $48

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
    Santorini 25
    Pokhara 5.28

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $73
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $90
  • Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $90
  • Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini : $92
  • Art and Wine Tour in a Historic Santorini Winery: $96
  • Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views: $106
  • Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia: $131
  • Santorini Private Tailor Made Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $155
  • Santorini Private Wine Tasting Tour in two or three Wineries : $161
  • Santorini 3-Winery Tour with 12 Wine Tastings and Oia Sunset: $179
  • Half-Day Virtual Reality Tour and Wine Tasting: $179
  • Small Group Local Wine Tasting Tour In Santorini : $179


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Pokhara, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Pokhara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Pokhara?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.