Nepal on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes: Nepal is excellent for budget travellers, with a realistic minimum of about Rs 4,500 per person per day (bed Rs 1,200, food Rs 1,500, sights Rs 1,000, transport Rs 800) in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Treks add the cost of a guide and permits.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Rs1,200 | Rs3,500 | Rs12,000 |
| Food & drink | Rs1,500 | Rs3,000 | Rs6,000 |
| Sights & tickets | Rs1,000 | Rs2,500 | Rs4,000 |
| Local transport | Rs800 | Rs4,000 | Rs9,000 |
| Per person, per day | Rs4,500 | Rs13,000 | Rs31,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Nepal day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk through Asan Tole, Kathmandu's old spice and brass market
- The old bazaar streets of Indra Chowk and the courtyards and small shrines around Thamel
- The lakeside promenade in Pokhara
- Views of Machhapuchhre from Lakeside on clear mornings
- Rapti River bank at Sauraha for rhinos and crocodiles seen from the shore
- Tharu villages near Sauraha
Cheap eats
- Momos in Thamel, about Rs 200–350 a plate
- Dal bhat with refills, about Rs 600–900 on trek, less in town
- Thukpa or thenthuk noodle soup at Boudha, about Rs 300–500
- Juju dhau yoghurt in Bhaktapur, about Rs 100–150
- Newari set meal in Bhaktapur or Patan, often a few hundred rupees
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in guesthouses in Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara, at about Rs 1,500–3,500 for a double; dorm beds are cheaper. On treks, teahouse rooms cost about Rs 500–1,500, on the understanding that you eat there.
Getting around cheaply
Tourist buses (Rs 1,500–2,500) between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan; Pathao or inDrive in cities. Walk between many Kathmandu sights. From the airport, app taxis are cheaper than the prepaid taxi counter.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Walk from Thamel through Asan Tole to Kathmandu Durbar Square (about Rs 1,000)
- Lunch: Momos, about Rs 300
- Afternoon: Walk to Swayambhunath (about Rs 200) and climb the steps
- Evening: Dal bhat dinner in Thamel, about Rs 500
- Total: about Rs 4,500 including a shared guesthouse room
More ways to save
- Trek in the shoulder weeks (late November, early December or late February) for lower prices and decent weather.
- Book guides through registered agencies in Pokhara rather than through hotels with markups.
- Carry snacks from Kathmandu or Pokhara; trail prices rise with altitude.
- Stay overnight in Bhaktapur to enjoy the squares after day visitors leave, on the same ticket.
- Use a reusable bottle and refill stations where available.
- Bring US dollars in cash for the visa on arrival.
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Common questions
Can you backpack Nepal on a budget?
Yes: about Rs 4,500 a day per person in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with guesthouses, momos, dal bhat and tourist buses.
Is flying to Pokhara worth the cost?
It saves 6–7 hours and gives mountain views, but at about US$100–130 it costs far more than the bus.
What is the cheapest short trek?
The Poon Hill trek from Pokhara (about 3–4 days) needs only an ACAP permit and a guide, with cheap teahouses.