Which place is cheaper, Arequipa 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Addis Ababa or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Arequipa, 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 Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $28Arequipa $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $61. 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 Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $15Arequipa $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $30Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Arequipa? 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 Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.73Arequipa $6.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $29
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
- Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
- Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.45
-
Bus Ride$0.46
-
Taxi Ride$1.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer From Arequipa To Puno With a 2 Hour Stop: $253
- 3 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $214
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $138
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to hotels: $30
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa 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 dayAddis Ababa $11Arequipa $25
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
-
Slice of Cake$0.04
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:
- Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
- Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
- Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
- Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.43
-
Lunch$3.04
-
Ice Cream$1.16
-
Fruit$0.87
-
Ice Cream$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.82Arequipa $19
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Addis Ababa City Tour & Coffee Ceremony with Shopping areas: $18
- National Museum Guided Tour with Lucy Fossil: $28
- Guided Walking Tour with Coffee & Food: $28
- Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
- Guided City Tour with Coffee Break & Entry fee: $30
- Kebena to Entoto Green Corridor Discovery Tour: $30
- Premium Addis Ababa Piassa Walking Tour with Coffee Ceremony: $32
- Mercato Market Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $32
- Best Addis Ababa Half-Day Tour: $32
- Flexible City tour Museum's,other layover vist: $35
- Red Terror Memorial Storytelling Experience: $35
- Coffee Ceremony & Traditional Clothing Tour: $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.89
-
Salsa Class$2.89
-
Movie Ticket$3.15
-
Hot Springs$2.89
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service: $288
- 2 Days Climbing Volcano Chachani Tour, Conquer Your First 6,070m: $200
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $50
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
- All inclusive Full day tour Colca Canyon: all Meals & Entrances: $94
- Arequipa 2 day tour to Colca Canyon and Cruz del Cóndor: $55
- Arequipa City Tour and Santa Catalina Monastery: $102
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.33Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Arequipa is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Arequipa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arequipa 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 Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Arequipa?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Arequipa, 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.