Should you visit Addis Ababa or Rome?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Rome, 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 Rome?
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.
Rome
Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 $29, while the average daily cost in Rome is $241. 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 Rome in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Rome? 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
Rome Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour:
$299
-
Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer:
$49
-
Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer:
$23
-
Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet):
$23
-
Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer:
$30
-
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles:
$40
-
Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer:
$55
-
Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa:
$152
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
-
Transfer from Rome to the Beverello pier (Naples):
$300
-
Transfer from Rome Hotel to Civitavecchia Cruise Port and vice versa:
$296
-
Transfer from Rome FIUMICINO AIRPORT to Civitavecchia Cruise Port:
$296
-
Transfer services from airports to rome for up to 4 persons:
$296
-
Private transfer from Rome to S. Felice Circeo, Sabaudia or Terracina:
$296
-
Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Saturnia - Arrival Private Transfer:
$290
-
Private Luxury Transfer to the Famous Points of Rome center:
$286
-
Civitavecchia Port : Private Transfer to/from Rome City & Airport:
$284
-
Private Transfer to or from Civitavecchia Port Van Mercedes:
$271
-
Premium Private Transfer Rome Naples:
$266
-
Private Transfer Fiumicino Airport and Rome Round Trip:
$260
-
Transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia Port 1 - 2 passengers:
$260
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 $11
Rome $97
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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:
-
Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings:
$49
-
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings:
$49
-
Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner:
$54
-
Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa:
$55
-
Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.:
$56
-
Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up:
$68
-
Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance:
$70
-
Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off:
$75
-
Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch:
$76
-
Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner:
$77
-
Addis Ababa Private City Tour with Immersive Cooking Class Lunch:
$85
-
Addis abeba Full Cooking class.:
$90
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)
$16
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
$3.48
-
Cafe e doce
$4.65
-
Pizza (Fast Food)
$3.08
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
$37
-
Cheese and bread
$12
-
Espresso
$2.33
-
Dinner
$67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
-
Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture:
$20
-
Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers:
$41
-
Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing:
$45
-
Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome:
$46
-
Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere:
$46
-
Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine:
$46
-
Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour:
$46
-
Rome Street Food Tour: Eat Like a Local:
$51
-
Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center:
$51
-
Rome Street Food Tour Eat Like a Local:
$52
-
Rome Food Tour with Local Guide & City Highlights:
$53
-
Rome Street Food Tour With a Local Guide Including Pizza, Ice-Cream & Much More!:
$53
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
-
Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour:
$30
-
5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour:
$36
-
Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour:
$38
-
Sightseeing Walking Tour:
$40
-
Open-bus Tour and Cycling:
$41
-
Local Food Open Market, City Tours & More.:
$42
-
4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour:
$42
-
Merkato Addis Ababa Guided Tour:
$42
-
Mercato Market Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting:
$43
-
Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour:
$45
-
Addis Ababa DayTours with Hotel/Airport pick up and drop off:
$45
-
Best of Addis Privet Guided city Tour:
$46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
$80
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
$38
-
Roma Pass
$35
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
$23
-
Segway Tour
$87
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
" Private pantheon tour: Explore Rome's Divine masterpiece":
$105
-
"Rome of the Popes" E-bike Tour with Guide for Small Groups:
$85
-
"Villa Borghese" Rome tour with high quality electric bicycle!:
$70
-
1 Day Rome Tour from Civitavecchia for Cruise Passengers:
$90
-
1 Hour Pantheon Tour: A Time Travel Experience in Rome + Ebook:
$101
-
1,5 H Ancient Rome Tour on a Golf Cart:
$81
-
1,5H Gianicolo and Trastevere Tour on a Golf Cart:
$89
-
1,5H Historical City Center Tour on a Golf Cart at Rome:
$81
-
2 hours Tour of Galleria Colonna:
$219
-
2-Hour Private Shopping Tour in Rome with Personal Stylist - Personal Shopper:
$118
-
2-Hour Walking Tour in Rome's Enchanting Jewish Ghetto:
$85
-
2.5 Hours Private Tour in Rome on a Vintage Fiat 500 open cabrio:
$188
Alcohol
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine
$7.56
-
Pint of Beer
$7.38
-
Beer
$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
-
Cabaret and Burlesque Show at Rome:
$36
-
Rome's Ultimate Party aka the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl:
$40
-
Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch:
$46
-
Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide:
$53
-
Premium Wine Tasting Experience by the Vatican:
$59
-
Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars:
$59
-
Frascati Old Town Wine Tasting Experience with Expert Sommelier:
$62
-
Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Food and Wine Tour:
$62
-
Rome Night Tipsy Tour & Bar Crawl with Forbidden History:
$70
-
Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour:
$82
-
The greatest wine tour of Rome:
$83
-
Devour Rome Food & Wine Tour of Trastevere:
$84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Rome?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Rome. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Rome, 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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