Which place is cheaper, San Diego 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.
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Should you visit Addis Ababa or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or San Diego, 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 San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $28San Diego $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $251. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $15San Diego $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $30San Diego $248
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.73San Diego $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
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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:
- Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
- Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $75
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer from SAN to Legoland: $300
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $264
- Private SUV Transfer from San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN: $166
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $165
- Sedan Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego: $160
- Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $140
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- Departure Transfer San Diego City to San Diego Airport SAN: $124
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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
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Food Meals for one dayAddis Ababa $11San Diego $84
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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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 San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
- San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $89
- San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Guided Food Tour: $89
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gaslamp District Food Tour with 6 Local Dishes: $96
- San Diego Gaslamp Food Tour with 6 Modern Californian Tastings: $97
- San Diego Chinese Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $99
- Vegan Italian Cooking Class in San Diego Cucina Migrante: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.82San Diego $57
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 San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Polaris GoCar: $231
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park: $90
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour: Downtown San Diego and Old Town or Beaches: $52
- 2.5-Hour Small-Group Catamaran Sailing Adventure with Drinks: $119
- 2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Balboa Park: $82
- 2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Old Town: $82
- 3-Hour Guided Whale and Dolphin Watching Experience in San Diego: $169
- 4 Hour Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour or Rental: $87
- All Day San Diego Scenic Tour: $125
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Balboa Park Electric Scooter Tour with Pictures: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.33San Diego $21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $20
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: True Crime & Ghost Stories: $35
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Beach Cruisers & Dive Bars along Mission Beach Boardwalk: $135
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego is in North 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or San Diego?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and San Diego, 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.