Nepal is one of the best-value destinations in Asia. You can travel on a shoestring, enjoy comfortable mid-range hotels, or splurge on luxury lodges and helicopter flights. Here's a realistic guide to costs, excluding international flights.
Quick answer: as a rough guide, budget travellers can manage on about US$30–50 a day, mid-range travellers spend about US$80–150 a day, and luxury travel starts from around US$250 a day. A guided teahouse trek usually costs from about US$70–150 per day all-inclusive, depending on the route and service.
Accommodation
- Guesthouses and budget hotels: inexpensive, especially in Thamel and Lakeside Pokhara.
- Three- and four-star hotels: mid-range.
- Five-star and heritage hotels: international prices. See our accommodation guide.
Food
A plate of dal bhat or momos in a local restaurant is very cheap; tourist restaurants cost more. On treks, food prices rise with altitude because everything is carried up.
Transport
Tourist buses between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan are cheap; private cars and domestic flights cost more. Lukla flights are a significant part of an Everest trek budget.
Visas and permits
Most visitors need a tourist visa (see our visa guide). Treks need national park or conservation area permits, and restricted areas such as Upper Mustang cost more. See our permits guide.
Sample trip costs with us
| Trip | Days | From |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu sightseeing day tour | 1 | US$75 |
| Ghorepani Poon Hill trek | 7 | US$590 |
| Chitwan jungle safari | 3 | US$320 |
| Upper Mustang jeep tour | 9 | US$1,690 |
Ways to save
- Travel in shoulder seasons.
- Use tourist buses instead of flights for shorter routes.
- Eat local food: dal bhat is filling and cheap.
- Carry a water filter instead of buying bottles.
Read more in Nepal on a budget, cost of trekking and money in Nepal.