Should I Visit Addis Ababa or Accra for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Accra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Accra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Accra?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Ghana, and The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana.

Which place is cheaper, Accra or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices

Accra Prices
Ghana Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Addis Ababa $32

Accra $49

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $32, while the average daily cost in Accra is $49. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Accra in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Addis Ababa $17

Accra $21
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Addis Ababa $34

Accra $42

Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Accra? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Addis Ababa $3.10

Accra $18

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:

Short Taxi Ride

$0.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $24
Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $30
City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187
Airport & City Transfers: $100
Private Airport Transfer to from ACC Kotoka by Business Car: $80
Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra and Addis Ababa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

Food

Food Meals for one day

Addis Ababa $12

Accra $18

Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:

Slice of Cake

$0.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
Ethiopian cooking class: $68
Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $71
Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Live Music: $99
Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $111

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.

Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $25
Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
Ghana Jollof Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine : $80
Accra Makola Market Food Tour With Full Lunch: $82
Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
Culinary for Social Change-Cooking Class : $90
Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Lessons and Take Out Services.: $100
Hands-On Cooking Class With Local Market Tour Option : $130
Accra Ghana Private Food and Cooking Class: $130
Fulani Dinner Experience: $150
Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $218

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Addis Ababa $3.20

Accra $3.70

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
Sightseeing Walking Tour: $40
Mercato Market & National museum Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $40
Open-bus Tour and Cycling: $41
Local Food Open Market, City Tours & More.: $42
4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
Mercato Market Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $43
Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour: $45
Addis Ababa DayTours with Hotel/Airport pick up and drop off: $45
Layover in Addis: Tailored Tours for Transit Passengers: $45
Addis City Tour with Airport pick-up and drop off.: $46

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

1 Day Accra City Tour: $100
Accra Luxury Beachfront Experience : $81
Accra Nightlife Experience: $150
Accra Private Surfing Experience with Pick Up: $250
Accra to Cape Coast Tour (Slave Castles and Kakum Park): $220
Cape Coast Elmina Kakum Park Private Day Tour: $200
Cape Coast Root ,History, & Active Adventure tour: $174
Ghana Chocolate Tasting Experience : $180
2 Days Exciting Accra and Cape Coast City Tour: $250
2-day Tour of Downtown Accra: $216
3.5 Hours Private City Tour of Accra: $120
A day tour of Accra : $150

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Addis Ababa $2.64

Accra $5.30

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
Locally crafted beer and wine tasting and nightlife in Addis tour: $62
Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Accra, we can see that Accra is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Accra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Accra than you might in Addis Ababa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Accra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Accra?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Accra, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons