Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also a fairly affordable city by global standards, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Kuala Lumpur, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $28Kuala Lumpur $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $85. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $15Kuala Lumpur $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $30Kuala Lumpur $84
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.73Kuala Lumpur $7.42
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:
- 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
- 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
- Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$3.67
-
Metro Ride (for Two)$0.78
-
Short Taxi Ride$3.67
-
Taxi From Airport$22
-
Bus from Airport$1.96
-
Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.94
-
Train to Airport$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Legoland Transfer Private (per Vehichle): $300
- Arrival Transfers from KLIA/KLIA2 to Cameron Highland: $285
- KUL Hotel to Penang(One Way Transfer): $278
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Singapore: $270
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Transfer [Car]: $266
- Marina Island Jetty/ Lumut Jetty Transfer From/To KLIA or Kuala Lumpur: $260
- Private Transfer : Kuala Lumpur to Singapore: $252
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $240
- Private Transfer : Kuala Lumpur to Jetty for Redang Island: $237
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $234
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- Private Transfer from Shah Alam city to Malacca Cruise Port: $228
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $11Kuala Lumpur $30
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
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ 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
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
- Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $70
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.79
-
Roti Bread$0.24
-
Food Court Lunch$3.53
-
Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour With 15+ Tastings Near KLCC: $42
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $50
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur: $55
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Glowing Firefly Tour With Dinner (SIC): $56
- Malaysia Cooking Class With Local (Hands-On!): $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Private Kuala Lumpur Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $64
- Kuala Lumpur Best Food Tour With A Guide: $64
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.82Kuala Lumpur $16
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
- 1 Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $180
- 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 Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: $300
- 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
- 3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
- 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
-
Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.22
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- °10 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $108
- °12 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Bentong w' Tour Guide: $108
- °12Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Genting Highlands w' Tour Guide: $108
- "Malacca After Dark: A Nighttime Adventure Through History": $63
- (Base On Per Vehicle Price) Private Kuala Lumpur KL City Tour: $185
- *12 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Port Dickson w' Tour Guide: $96
- *13 Hrs Bentong Van tour from Kuala Lumpur w' Tour Guide: $86
- *13Hrs KL&GentingHighlands Van Tour frm Port Dickson w' TourGuide: $123
- *14 Hrs Melaka Ultimate Van Tour from Port Dickson w' Tour Guide: $84
- *14Hrs Melaka Excitements Car Tour from Port Dickson w' TourGuide: $295
- *17HrsKualaLumpur&Melaka Van Tour frm Fraser's Hill w' Tour Guide: $144
- 1 Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour (Private) {23 Attractions}: $68
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.33Kuala Lumpur $6.78
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 Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kuala Lumpur
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kuala Lumpur:
- Hidden Bar Hopping With A Local - Bar Crawl: $35
- Kuala Lumpur Nightlife Pub Crawl with 4 Venues and Drinks: $41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Kuala Lumpur?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Kuala Lumpur, 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.