Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Addis Ababa or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $33Cartagena $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $33, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $44. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $22Cartagena $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $44Cartagena $50
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $3.88Cartagena $7.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.26
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 in/out transfer: $49
- Addis Ababa Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $82
- Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $20
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $26
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $22
- City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $26
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $113
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Cartagena Tour Privado x8 horas con Transfers: $382
- Cartagena to Tayrona Park (or vice versa) Private Transfer: $296
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Private Transfer Cartagena to Palomino (or vice versa): $274
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $254
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $212
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $185
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $167
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $167
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 $8.67Cartagena $9.17
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
-
Slice of Cake$0.06
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:
- Dinner Cultural shows and best Nightlife : $21
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Mom's cooking class: $60
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $70
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $88
- Ethiopian cooking class: $95
- Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $114
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Street food tour Cartagena: $24
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $41
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $49
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $4.00Cartagena $20
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Pup crawl and nightlife tour in Addis Ababa.: $50
- Addis Ababa city tour.: $53
- Addis Ababa Tour: $53
- Addis Ababa City - Half Day Tour: $55
- Addis Ababa highlight city tour: $56
- Addis Ababa city Tour: $60
- Half Day City Tour of Addis Ababa : $60
- Addis Ababa City Tour: $60
- Guided City Tour: $62
- Guided City Tour / Addis Ababa Guided City Tour: $64
- Addis Ababa Guided City Tours: $64
- A guided tour of Addis Abeba that includes a city viewpoint: $65
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Guided Tour in Turbaco and the Botanical Garden with Lunch: $97
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Blanca Private tour : $148
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $124
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $95
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $3.30Cartagena $8.60
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
- Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65
- Pub crawl Addis Ababa: $69
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
- Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $18
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
- Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $54
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $62
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena 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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena 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 Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Cartagena?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Cartagena, 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.