Travel guide · Kathmandu
Kathmandu on a Budget
Shoestring or mid-range — here are realistic daily budgets, cheap eats and the tricks that stretch your money in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is one of Asia's best-value capitals — you can eat well, sleep cheaply and see world-class sights without spending much. Here's what a day actually costs and how to keep it low.
The short answer
Shoestring travellers can comfortably do Kathmandu on US$15–25 (NPR 2,000–3,300) a day with dorms, local food and buses. A relaxed mid-range budget of US$35–60 (NPR 4,600–8,000) a day buys a private guesthouse room, restaurant meals and taxis. Your biggest savings come from eating where locals eat and walking the compact old city.
Daily budgets at a glance
| Shoestring | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Bed | Dorm NPR 700–1,200 | Guesthouse room NPR 2,000–4,000 |
| Food | NPR 600–1,000 | NPR 1,500–3,000 |
| Transport | NPR 100–300 (bus/walk) | NPR 500–1,200 (taxi/Pathao) |
| Sights & extras | NPR 600–1,000 | NPR 1,000–2,000 |
| Per day | NPR 2,000–3,300 (US$15–25) | NPR 4,600–8,000 (US$35–60) |
Prices exclude international flights, trekking permits and guided tours, which sit outside a typical city day.
How to spend less
- Sleep in Thamel's back lanes. Dorms and simple guesthouses a few streets off the main drag are noticeably cheaper than headline hotels.
- Eat local. Momos (NPR 120–200) and dal bhat (NPR 150–350, often with free refills) keep you full for little. Tourist restaurants cost two to three times more.
- Walk or use Pathao/inDrive. Central sights are within walking distance; ride-hailing apps undercut metered taxis and avoid haggling.
- Pick free and cheap sights. Wandering Durbar Marg, Asan market and Thamel costs nothing, and a single Boudhanath or Swayambhunath ticket goes a long way.
- Withdraw larger sums. Nepali ATMs charge a flat fee per withdrawal (around NPR 500), so fewer, bigger withdrawals save money.
To make every rupee count, plan your stay with our guide to where to stay in Kathmandu by area, pack the sights into a 3-day Kathmandu itinerary, and travel in the cheaper shoulder months — see the best time to visit Kathmandu.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a day in Kathmandu cost?+
A shoestring traveller can manage on about US$15–25 (NPR 2,000–3,300) a day using dorms, local eateries and public buses. A comfortable mid-range day with a private guesthouse room, sit-down meals and the odd taxi runs to roughly US$35–60 (NPR 4,600–8,000), excluding flights and big trekking permits.
What is the cheapest food in Kathmandu?+
Local momos (steamed dumplings) and a plate of dal bhat are the best value. Momos cost around NPR 120–200 a plate and dal bhat NPR 150–350 at local eateries, and dal bhat usually comes with free refills, so it is genuinely all-you-can-eat.
Is it cheaper to pay in rupees or US dollars in Kathmandu?+
Pay in Nepalese rupees almost everywhere. Quoting prices in US dollars is common only for trekking permits, some hotels and tours, and you will usually get a poorer rate paying in dollars. Withdraw rupees from an ATM or change money at a licensed exchange in Thamel.
How do I get around Kathmandu cheaply?+
Local buses and microbuses are the cheapest option at roughly NPR 20–50 a ride, though they are crowded and unsigned in English. Walking covers most of central Kathmandu, and ride-hailing apps like Pathao and inDrive are far cheaper and less hassle than flagging taxis.
