Set in the heart of the Himalayas, Nepal offers breathtaking mountain landscapes, ancient temples, and rich cultural heritage. From trekking to Everest Base Camp to exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley, this mystical country captivates adventurers and spiritual seekers alike.
Local currency: Nepali Rupee (NPR). 1 USD ≈ 130-135 NPR (check current rates before travel).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Nepal.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $8-15 (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $15-35 (basic guesthouse)
- Midrange
- $40-100 (mid-range hotel)
- Luxury
- $200-600+ (5-star)
Food
- Street
- $1-3 (momo plate, sel roti, chai)
- Local
- $4-8 (dal bhat set meal)
- Midrange
- $10-20 (sit-down restaurant)
- Fine
- $30-60+ (fine dining or hotel restaurant)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.15-0.35 (city local bus)
- Taxi
- $3-8 (city taxi via app)
- Airport
- $5-10 (airport to Thamel via Pathao/taxi)
- Daytrip
- $15-40 (day trip to Bhaktapur or Patan by taxi)
Activities
- Museum
- $2-10 (entry fees)
- Sites
- $10-15 (Durbar Square combined ticket)
- Tour
- $35-60 (guided full-day heritage tour)
- Excursion
- $70-120 (Chitwan day safari, paragliding)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Nepal costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$150-200/week
Midrange traveller
$400-600/week
Luxury traveller
$1,500-3,000+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat where locals eat — dal bhat (lentil rice set) at local bhansa griha (cookhouses) costs $2-4 and includes unlimited refills; it's nutritious, delicious, and safe
Use Pathao or InDrive ride apps instead of negotiating with street taxis — app prices are transparent and usually 20-30% cheaper than walking fares
Book trekking permits and TIMS cards yourself at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu rather than paying agency markup
Travel in shoulder season (January-February, June-September) for hotel discounts of 20-40% — June/July means monsoon but lower treks remain possible
Buy a Ncell tourist SIM card at the airport for data — much cheaper than international roaming and works throughout cities and along main trekking routes
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Garden of Dreams
Beautiful neo-classical garden in Thamel offering a peaceful escape — NPR 300 ($2) entry but one of Kathmandu's best green spaces. Free to walk past and admire from the gate.
Boudhanath Kora Walk
Walk the circumambulation path around the outside of Boudhanath Stupa with pilgrims at dawn — the inner area has a small entry fee but the outer path is free and atmospheric.
Thamel Exploration
The maze-like streets of Thamel are fascinating to explore — browse trekking shops, handicraft stores, and observe street life at no cost
Lakeside Promenade Walk
Pokhara's lakeside promenade along Phewa Lake is completely free and offers stunning Himalayan reflections, boats, and mountain backdrops especially beautiful at sunrise
Swayambhunath Outer Stupa
The grounds around Swayambhunath are accessible without paying inner entry — walk the outer circumambulation path for free with resident monkeys and prayer flags
Asan Bazaar Exploration
Wandering through Kathmandu's ancient trading bazaars of Asan Chowk and Indrachowk is completely free and offers authentic insight into traditional Nepali market culture
Patan Backstreet Wandering
Exploring the cobblestone lanes and courtyards of old Patan beyond the main Durbar Square is free and reveals hidden temples, traditional metalwork workshops, and medieval architecture