Comparison · Kathmandu vs Pokhara · Nepal
Kathmandu vs Pokhara
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Kathmandu for Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath; choose Pokhara for Phewa Lake and Annapurna views. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 142 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 142 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Kathmandu
- March–April and October–December
- Best time for Pokhara
- March–April and October–December
Side by side
| Kathmandu | Pokhara | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Nepal | Nepal |
| Known for | Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath and Durbar Squares | Phewa Lake, Annapurna views and Paragliding |
| Best time to visit | March–April and October–December | March–April and October–December |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $50–$120 | $50–$110 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | June, 29°C (84°F) | May, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 20°C (68°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | KTM | PKR, KTM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Kathmandu for…
Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath. Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 metres in a bowl-shaped valley ringed by hills, and the valley's seven UNESCO monument zones — the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan — are all within an…
Choose Pokhara for…
Phewa Lake and Annapurna views. Pokhara is Nepal's second city and its main base for the Annapurna region, set around Phewa Lake at about 800 metres with the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range rising behind it on clear days. Lakeside, the strip of guesthouses, cafés and…
Top sights compared
| # | Kathmandu | Pokhara |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu Durbar Square | Phewa Lake |
| 2 | Swayambhunath | Tal Barahi Temple |
| 3 | Boudhanath | Sarangkot sunrise |
| 4 | Pashupatinath Temple | Tandem paragliding |
| 5 | Patan Durbar Square | World Peace Pagoda |
Food compared
| Kathmandu | Pokhara |
|---|---|
| Momo | Dal bhat |
| Dal bhat tarkari | Thakali khana set |
| Newari khaja set | Momo |
| Bara | Thukpa |
Which is cheaper?
Kathmandu and Pokhara cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $50–$120 in Kathmandu and $50–$110 in Pokhara (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pokhara on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Kathmandu and Pokhara are about 142 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Kathmandu and 4 in Pokhara.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kathmandu or Pokhara cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $50–$120 in Kathmandu and $50–$110 in Pokhara (estimates).
+Is Kathmandu or Pokhara better for a first trip?
Pick Kathmandu for Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath, or Pokhara for Phewa Lake and Annapurna views.
+How far is Kathmandu from Pokhara?
About 142 km in a straight line.