Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?
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.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesEdinburgh Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $28Edinburgh $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $226. 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 Edinburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $15Edinburgh $98
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $30Edinburgh $196
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Edinburgh
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Edinburgh? 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 Edinburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.73Edinburgh $22
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:
- Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $148
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $75
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
- Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
-
Local Bus$4.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to/from Edinburgh City, St'Andrews etc.: $330
- Luxury Transfer Service | Edinburgh to Glasgow: $295
- Luxury Transfer Service | Edinburgh to Gleneagles: $281
- Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Private Transfer 1-6 passengers: $270
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Glasgow - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $266
- Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow City One Way Private Transfer: $263
- Luxury Transfer Service | Edinburgh to Stirling: $258
- Luxury Private Car Transfer from Edinburgh Airport EDI to Glasgow: $238
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow Up to 6 People: $236
- Private Car Transfer Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow: $236
- Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh City Luxary Private Transfer: $189
- Edinburgh Airport Private Transfers to Gleneagles: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Edinburgh?
Prices for flights to both Edinburgh 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 $11Edinburgh $89
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 Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$11
-
Dinner at Filling Station$13
-
Lunch for Two$20
-
Sandwich$2.44
-
Cheese & bread$9.55
-
Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$33
-
2 Coffees and Scones$7.66
-
Turkish Delight$1.85
-
Soup at the Pub$7.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New! Taste of Local Food Tour in Stockbridge: $108
- Edinburgh Food Tour with 5 Authentic Tastings & Local Scotch: $131
- Eating Old Town Small-Group Food Tour with Drinks: $140
- Edinburgh Like a Local New Town and Stockbridge Food Tour: $183
- The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $226
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.82Edinburgh $26
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- • Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure: $450
- • Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours: $1,775
- "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
- 14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours: $1,580
- 2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience: $300
- 2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch: $265
- 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
- 3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
- 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730
- 3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem: $288
- 3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.: $890
- 3-Day Omo Valley Tribal Experience in Jinka & Turmi: $620
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Show Tickets$42
-
Movie Tickets for Two$16
-
Donation for Storytellers$7.93
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 'A Wee Pedal's' Award-Winning Circular Cycle Tour of Edinburgh!: $119
- 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $241
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $243
- 3hr Edinburgh City and Castle Private Walking Tour: $169
- Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $22
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Small-Group Tour: $87
- Battle of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn Tour Edinburgh Pick Up: $270
- Best of Small Group Walking Tour (Max 10, 3 Hours): $52
- Best of Scotland in a Day Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $107
- Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour: $27
- City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free: $27
- Craft Beer Tour Edinburgh: $61
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.33Edinburgh $20
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 Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
-
Beer & Wine$19
-
Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern$2.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Edinburgh New Year's Eve Bar Crawl (Hogmanay): $10
- Gin Distillery tasting & tour at South Loch Gin: $34
- Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting: $34
- From Glenkinchie Distillery & Whisky Experience: $74
- Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish: $88
- Tales of Edinburgh Pub Tour Journey through History and Whisky: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh is in Europe, 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Edinburgh?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Edinburgh, 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.