Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Addis Ababa or Antananarivo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Antananarivo, 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 Antananarivo?
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.
Antananarivo
Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Ethiopia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ethiopia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $67Antananarivo $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $67, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $71. 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 Antananarivo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $43Antananarivo $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $86Antananarivo $58
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Antananarivo
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Antananarivo? 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 Antananarivo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $7.73Antananarivo $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.52
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
- City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $26
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $76
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $58
- Madagascar: Airport Ivato transfer to hotel: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Antananarivo?
Prices for flights to both Antananarivo 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
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Food Meals for one dayAddis Ababa $17Antananarivo $28
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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Slice of Cake$0.12
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:
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- City Tour, Food Tour, Shopping in Shiro Meda Market : $72
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
- Culinary Class and Food Tour in Addis Ababa : $82
- Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116
- Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
- Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
- Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.
- Private City and food tour in Antananarivo: $98
- Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $7.98Antananarivo $24
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Addis Ababa City - Half Day Tour: $55
- Half Day City Tour of Addis Ababa : $60
- City tour of Addis, Transit in Addis by car: $65
- Food tasting tours, Enjera/Injera baking,coffee ceremony,Tej tasting: $69
- Addis Ababa Guided City Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up: $70
- Addis Ababa Half Day Shopping Tour: $70
- Addis Ababa City tour: $72
- Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
- “Addis Ababa City Tours”: $75
- Every day Addis Ababa City Tour : $75
- Addis Ababa City Tours Full Day With Hotel Pickup And Drop Off: $79
- Addis Food Tasting Tour : $79
Tours and Activities in Antananarivo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:
- 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $871
- 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $200
- Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
- Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $43
- Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
- Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $24
- Day - Tour Ampefy: $147
- From 9 days unique adventure trip to Tulear: $2,122
- Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $205
- Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
- Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $6.59Antananarivo $9.48
When comparing the travel costs between Addis Ababa and Antananarivo, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Antananarivo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Antananarivo?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Antananarivo, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.