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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Islamabad?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Islamabad, 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 Islamabad?

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.

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.


Which place is cheaper, Islamabad 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $36, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $52. 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 Islamabad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $19
    Islamabad $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $38
    Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Islamabad

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Islamabad? 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.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Islamabad


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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.47
    Islamabad $7.62
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

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

  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $135
  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $37
  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $25
  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Airport Transfer/Pickup and Dropoff Karachi : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad Airport Transfers : $54
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Islamabad?

Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 $13
    Islamabad $26
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:

  • 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
  • Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $80
  • Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $83
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $86
  • Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
  • Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
  • Mount Entoto View Point, Museum Palace Local Market & Food Tours : $99
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $100
  • Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.58
    Islamabad $9.41

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

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

  • Addis Ababa City Tours Full-Day Tours : $100
  • Fullday VIP Tour to The Unity Park, Friendship Park, Entoto park: $188
  • Go where thelocalsgo, Eatwhat the localseat!open MarketTour&More: $72
  • "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
  • 1 Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $180
  • 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $295
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: $151
  • 3 Days Trekking Simien Mountains Tours: $240
  • 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $65
  • 4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $75
  • A Guided Tour of Addis Ababa That Includes a City Viewpoint: $59
  • A guided tour of Addis Abeba that includes a city viewpoint: $69

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

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

  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Discover Private City Tour Islamabad: $113
  • From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,650
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
  • From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
  • Full Day Islamabad Complete Tour with Expert Guide: $45
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
  • Full Day Tour To The Ancient City Of Taxila From Islamabad: $90
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $90
  • Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
  • Islamabad City Tour : $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.96
    Islamabad $2.86

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Islamabad, we can see that Islamabad 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 Islamabad is in Asia, 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 Islamabad would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Islamabad 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 Islamabad Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Islamabad?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Islamabad, 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.

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