9 Tips For Your Next Budget Trip to Nepal

A budget trip to Nepal is a must for travellers who are on a tight budget but still want some adventure. Nepal is one of the world’s most affordable travel destinations. And we promise: budget travel doesn’t mean low quality.  Your next budget trip to Nepal can take you from the base camp of the highest peak in the world to a jungle safari in national parks.

The diversity of culture and friendly people make your trip even more special. Choose what, like trekking, tours, flying over the Mt.Everest, a cultural immersive tour, wandering through dense forests, or just watching over hundreds of flora and fauna of different species. And the good news is that you can experience all of these at a fraction of the cost of many other countries.

Do not hesitate to plan your next budget trip to Nepal if you want to keep your wallet happy. At a reasonable price, you can enjoy all kinds of services. Yes, luxuries are also quite reasonable. They won’t make you think twice.

Nepal, as a travel destination, is suitable for all kinds of travellers, solo backpackers, couples, friends, or families. Plan your epic vacation and get to know all about these beautiful wanders in an affordable price.

“Atithi Devo Bhava” (guest-is-god)

This ethos is deeply rooted in Nepali culture, and you will feel it during your next budget trip to Nepal. To make it easier for you, we have these tips for your next budget trip to Nepal. If you closely follow these insider tips and with proper planning, you are going to save headaches and some bucks.

Fun Fact: In Nepal, the plate of dal bhat, which consists of rice, lentil soup, vegetable/ chicken, achar, and other varities comes with unlimited refills.

How to Plan a Budget Trip to Nepal?

The secret to a cheap trip? Plan ahead! It gives headaches to everyone during the planning process. We understand your feeling wanting to go everywhere, experience everything, but remaining on a budget. Take a deep breath because it is completely possible if your destination is a budget trip to Nepal.

Foremost, set a Realistic Daily Budget:

Basic accommodation, meals, and local transportation cost $25-40 USD per day. This amount is enough for backpackers for their budget trip to Nepal. If you are choosing luxury services price might go slightly up. Similarly, many hotels also provide group discounts. Mark this amount as a starting point. You can increase the amount if you want to include taxis or guided tours.

If you want to travel to Nepal with kids, Nepal is well known for family trips, and our most popular trek is the Everest Base Camp trek with Kids which is carefully designed regarding the safety of the children.

When to Go:

Timing is everything. Peak season means high prices. The busiest time in Nepal is spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). During these season weather is stable, temperature are warm, and there are clear skies. But visiting around this time of the year means paying more money. During the main season cost increases by 20-50%.

However, if you visit during off season or shoulder season can save big bucks. During the summer monsoon and winter, prices drop, and you might grab better deals. Only disadvantages is cold and rainy weather. For a budget trip to Nepal, avoid visiting during major festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and the busy season.

If you’re pinching pennies, plan a visit during the shoulder season, before or after peak times.

Daily Budget:

A crucial part of budget traveling is tracking your expenses. Do a back-of-the-napkin calculation. Estimate money on where and for what you will spend, like $5-10 for accommodation, $5-10 for meals, $5-15 for transport, and a few dollars extra.

Math might sound mentally challenging, but it’s a simple calculation. You can set a per-day cap and keep track of expenditure as you go. Always include 10-20% extra cash for emergencies or splurges.

Passport & Visa:

Travelers can easily get a Nepal Visa during the arrival. Indians tarveler won’t need a passport, and just a valid government photo ID is enough. Visa fees are affordable and available by days. For 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days, which cost $30, $50, & $125 USD, respectively. You can apply online and obtain it after your arrival for an easy process. For more details, go through this blog: Nepal Tourist Visa.

Pro Tip: Carry a valid (6 months at least) passport and ID. Also, carry their photocopy with you and keep it safe. If it’s lost, your ID photocopy can be helpful at immigration.

Budget Trip to Nepal from India

Nepal and India are neighbouring countries. If you are an Indian traveler looking for a budget trip to Nepal, you have ultimate advantages. All indian citizens have visa-free entry. Near the border area, even the Indian currencies are acceptable.

You have two ways of visiting Nepal from India: fly or go overland. There are direct flights available from Delhi to Kathmandu. Flight tickets cost you around $60-120 USD one-way.

The cheapest alternative of flight is a bus. There are several daily buses available from Delhi to Kathmandu. They are convenient, but it will be a long drive, taking 26 to 28 hours. The bus fare can range from $32-50 USD, depending on the service level. Similarly, if you are traveling from Eastern India, you can just come via local buses or jeeps.  A bus fare from Siliguri to Kathmandu costs around $30 USD and takes 12 hours. It’s a steal because you can enjoy the views and see Nepal closely along the way.

For a budget trip to Neapl, it is best to travel via local bus. They are more budget-friendly. Many tourist buses add comfort for a small premium. In Kathmandu city, you can travel via local bus or taxi. Always ask locals or your guesthouse for the going rate.

Special Note: Indian citizens won’t need passport to visit Nepal. A citizenship or government-issued photo ID like a voter card or driver’s license are enough. Without extra visa fees, Indian travellers can enjoy the budget trip in Nepal more.

Budget Trip to Nepal: Affordable Stays & Lodging

If not planned strategically, you might lose a high sum of money on accommodation during your budget trip to Nepal. Kathmandu has plenty of accommodation. You can choose any of them depending on your budget. The best option is to stay outside of the tourist area to save money.

Budget-friendly accommodation, like hostels, guesthouses, and homestays are available. Twin-sharing bedrooms are common and cheaper. Standard room costs around $5 to $10 USD per night in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Also, look for breakfast inclusion. In this range, you can get a comfortable and clean room in the popular district of Thamel or Lakeside. Private double rooms are also available for $15-20 USD. Booking in advance can be more helpful.

Outside the downtown and these valleys, accommodations are even cheaper. Along the trekking routes, accommodations are mostly teahouses or guesthouses run by local people. Standard room comes in a twin-sharing basis and costs under $5-10 per person with dinner and breakfast included.

If you are visiting Bandipur or Nagarkot during your budget trip to Nepal, homestays are a popular choice. They are very cost-saving. It includes a twin-sharing room and home-cooked meals for one price. Guesthouses and homestays are the best budget option. They are also clean and more comfortable in comparison to hostel rooms.

Along the Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp trails only accommodation options are teahouses or dormitory-style rooms. The cost of meals is typically included and still surprisingly low. It costs you around NPR 800-1500 ($7-$13) per night. Carry a personal sleeping bag if you are doing a trek, which is a budget trip to Nepal, to save money.

For accommodation during a budget trip to Nepal choosing a homestay and teahouses are best option. Homestay or guesthouse for tour and teahouse for trekking.

Traveling doesn’t mean breaking your bank. If you plan smartly and strategically, you can enjoy a good service at a reasonable price. Without compromising on comfort, Nepal offers a vast range of comfortable sleeping places at a low price.

Budget Trip to Nepal: Eating Cheap and Local

The best part of traveling in Nepal is the cost range. Even if you are not planning for a budget trip to Nepal, it will still cost a little. Here you can enjoy delicious food at a good price. However, you must avoid tourist trap areas.

Eating cheaply doesn’t mean eating unhealthily. Your health is very important throughout the trip; you can’t get sick. You can get filling meals from local eateries and stalls. There are varieties of cafes, hotels, and thakali restaurants, etc.

To save money and still stay healthy, a standard plate of dal bhat is best. They nutrious and healthy, consisting of rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and pickles, which come in unlimited refills. The standard thakali set costs you below $5 USD only.

1. Some sample costs: A full plate of Mo: Mo (dumplings) costs as little as NPR 130 ($1). Typical dal bhat in teahouses costs NPR 400-800 ($3.50-$7). In lower areas, they are usually cheaper. Similarly, drinks like soda or milk tea only cost NPR 50 ($0.45). However, Western food and drink are slightly expensive, costing around $5-10 USD in touristy cafes. The main role is to eat where the locals do.
2. Skip the Tourist Traps: If you are doing budget travel, it is best to avoid Thamel and other tourist areas. In these areas, costs are often foreign prices. Wander around the area, and or do some Google search where local hotspots are. Most of the menus, even local ones, are written in both Nepali and English.
3. Street Food: For a more local experience, try some street food. They are super cheap and fast. Popular street foods are grilled corn, samosas, Aloo Chop, hot dog, or spicy potato kofta balls. The famous Newari chatamari comes under $1-$3 USD. Choose stalls that are busy and have fresh ingredients.

1. Markets & Fruits: Fruits are extremely cheap in Nepal, especially if you buy them from a market stall. 1 kg of bananas might cost you only NPR 100, $0.85 USD. They are fresh and organic.
2. Home Cooking: If you are staying in a guesthouse, they might have the option of self-catering. If you have a kitchen, cooking meals by yourself can save money. Grocery prices are also very low, so you don’t have to worry. A liter of milk costs NPR140, about $1 USD only.

Useful Info: A bottle of water (1L) cost only NPR 25 ($0.22) in Kathmandu. If you eat at local cafe, hotels, and resturant, your entire day’s worth of breakfasts, lunches and dinners can range between $10-15 USD. Try to go native, if you want to do budget trip to Nepal.

Budget Trip to Nepal: Transportation

If you are not careful, transportation can take a big chunk of your budget. When planning a budget trip to Nepal, transportation is one of the key factors to consider. To save money by road transportation is the best choice. To commute within a city, local public buses are good. It costs just NRS 30-40 ($0.20 to $0.30 USD per person).

By bus, the travel duration can be long, but it saves a lot of money. Below we have a list of tips for budget transportation:

• Long-Distance Buses: For a long dustance routes like Kathmandu-Chitwan, Kathmandu-Pokhara, or Pokhara-Jomsom have direct buses available. They have a variety of choices.  When buying a tickest try to purchase from a local travel desk and negotiate as well. Ticket prices usually range from $5 to 20 USD per person only. Yes, this is the price range, and the distance is more than 6 to 7 hours. For more comfort, you can travel in a deluxe bus, which only costs around $9 USD.
• Shared Jeeps: If you are traveling to remote regions or a trekking gateway, travel via jeep. Shared 4×4 jeeps are common and save a lot of money as you split the cost among other passengers. For example, Kathmandu-Chitwan by tourist bus might be NPR 600 ($4.07), but a shared jeep is about NPR 1500 ($10) total for 6 people.
• Pathao/ Indrive for City Transport: These are mobile ride-hailing apps. You can hire a taxi or bikes in a local price. Price differs depending on your destination.
• Domestic Flights: For a budget trip to Nepal, it is best to avoid air transportation. In Nepal, flight tickets are quite expensive even for local people. A flight to Lukla (Everest gateway) or to other places costs $100+. It is a good choice if you are short on time, but a suitable choice for budget travelers.

Alternative to trekking, Nepal also has mountain Heli flights (like one-hour Everest or Annapurna sightseeing flights) in a affordable price. However, it is best to avoid splurging money on these kinds of luxuries.

Budget Trip to Nepal Trekking & Adventures

Budget trip to Nepal for trekking. It may sound like a bluff, but yes, it is possible. Nepal is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world. As a home to eight of the highest peaks in the world, among 10 speaks for itself.

Most importantly, you can visit these popular trekking destination in a good price. A cheap yet adventurous and beautiful trekking route is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek of 9 day whoch costs only $690 USD per person.

Similarly, other iconic treks like the Annapurna Base Camp and Langtang Valley trek for 11 days are $1,090 USD per person only. Likewise, 10 days Mardi Himal Trek is just $695 USD per person.  All these packages are inclusive.

For a budget trek to Nepal, Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit Trek with major challenges and long duration can be expensive. You have to buy permits, guides, porters, and arrange other logistics carefully. Permits can cost $30 for TIMS + $30 for a national park permit, $40 per day for guides, $25 per day for porters, adding up with accommodation, food, and transportation fees as well.

Therefore, the best solution to enjoy the trek and save money is buying a package with a travel agency in a group. Packages covers all the expenses and logistics along with handling your safety. 

If traveling in a group, expenses will be divided. This saves a significant amount of money. Likewise, for trekking gear and equipment, you can rent from a gear shop in Kathmandu or Pokhara instead of buying new. If you are trekking with an agency, sme agnecy ike Access Nepal Tours and Trekking provide cost-free sleeping bags and down jackets.

However, if you are a backpack trekker and do not wanna go with a travel agency, it is possible. You can obtain a permits frm Nepa turism bard Kathmandu. Hiring a guide is mandatory for trekking in Nepal. Besides these, you must handle accommodation, meals, porter, and transportation. Well-established routes have affordable teahouses, but they get easily booked during peak season. Therefore, try to book in advance. Expect $3-5 per night for a dorm-bed in a mountain lodge. Price will go up as you climb higher. Meal prices are 50-100% higher than in the cities, so budget accordingly.

Budget Trip To Nepal for Everyone:

Solo Travelers

Nepal is a perfect traveling destination for solo travellers. Due to low cost and affordable prices, it is extremely popular among backpackers. There are a variety of affordable options, and easy to stay on budget. Staying in a twin-sharing or dormitory can save you dollars. You can find a travel companion on websites or in online clubs.

Many trave agency as run group tours where you can join a group. You have to pay per person, but the costs are much less than private bookings.

Couples

Traveling as a duo is more cost-friendly because you can just split the cost for the room, meals, transportation, guides, and all. There are also lots of offers available for couples. Some of the romantic budget ideas are sunrise at Sarangkot, sunset at Swayambhunath, overnight in Nagarkot, and Bandipur.

Families

Usually, people think a budget trip with families means so many compromises. However, Nepal as a destination with families is very fine. You can easily get a group discount. If you split bills, you can enjoy premium triple or quad rooms. There are popular places suitable to visit with families, like Godavari Botanical Garden, the Garden of Dreams, or museums with low entry fees. Fr ng traves r trekking, buying a group package is best to enjoy the group discounts

Group tours are best for a budget trip to Nepal. If you are doing a trip for four or plus, you can get a group discount that cuts per-person prices dramatically.

Budget-Friendly Nepal Tour Packages

Private tours and customized tours can be a bit pricey. It is best to choose a group tour package. Do not worry, there are plenty of group tour packages available. They are economical because they bundle services. You do not have to worry about customer service quality. They still provide good service

Some of the budget tours to Nepal destinations are Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan Tour for 8 days, which costs only $990 USD per person. For trekking, join group treks Standard Everest Base Camp 14-day $1,490. If you do it in a group, you will get discounts on their trekking destination that are budget friendly incudes:

1. Khpra Danda Trek 13 Days: $1,090 USD Per Person
2. Short Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 4 Days: $390 USD Per Person
3. Dhampus Sarangkot Trek 3 Days: $190 USD Per Person
4. Kori Trek 10 Days: $690 USD Per Person
5. Phluchowki Hike 1 Days: $190 USD Per Person
6. Gokyo Lake Trek 13 Days: $1,390 USD Per Person

Most of these packages are all-inclusive and offer group discounts (only applicable if you travel via travel agency). If you are trekking on your own during peak season book in 2-3 months in advance. Price can fluctuate in peak season.

You don’t need fortune travel to enjoy the beauty of Nepal. You can experience some of the best adventures of your lifetime for an affordable price. If you plan a little smartly, you can make beautiful memories without financial stress.