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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Tbilisi?

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

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

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.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.

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


Which place is cheaper, Tbilisi or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $68, while the average daily cost in Tbilisi is $29. 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 Tbilisi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $44
    Tbilisi $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $88
    Tbilisi $24
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Tbilisi

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Tbilisi? 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 Tbilisi


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $7.91
    Tbilisi $6.12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

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

  • City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $19
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $22
  • Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

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

  • Private transfer: Yerevan-Tbilisi: $250
  • From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Batumi: $244
  • 4 Days Private Tour in Georgia With Free Airport Transfers: $237
  • Tbilisi-Batumi Private Transfer: $220
  • Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan whith tour.: $180
  • Private Transfer from Tbilisi to Gudauri : $180
  • Tbilisi - Yerevan Private Transfer: $179
  • Transfer Georgia To Armenia With Tour: $178
  • 4 Group Tours Including Airport Transfers: $172
  • From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Gudauri Or Kazbegi: $163
  • Private Transfer from Tbilisi To Gudauri or vice versa: $160
  • 3-Day Tbilisi & Mtskheta Discovery + Airport Transfers: $159

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Tbilisi?

Prices for flights to both Tbilisi 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 $18
    Tbilisi $7.93
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.12

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:

  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
  • Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show: $77
  • Culinary Class and Food Tour in Addis Ababa : $82
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $120
  • Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
  • Half Day + Dinner Addis Ababa City Tour: $150
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with transfers: $154
  • Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
  • Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: $243

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
  • Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
  • Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
  • Middle East Evening with Live Singers and Dinner in Tbilisi: $40
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Food Tour in a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Vegetarian Georgian Cooking Class: $78
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $90
  • Traditional Georgian Food - Cooking Masterclass at Family: $103
  • Nana's Kitchen - traditional Georgian cooking class at real Georgian family home: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $8.16
    Tbilisi $14

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 : $113
  • Airport Layover Tour | Addis highlights, National Palace, Coffee Ceremony: $200
  • “Addis Ababa City Tours”: $75
  • 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $311
  • 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
  • 4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $68
  • 9 Days Omo Valley and Danakil Danakil Depression tour: $3,909
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day City Tour: $180
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day Cultural Experience : $100
  • Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
  • Addis Ababa Bole Airport Culinary and Walking Tour : $62

Tours and Activities in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Borjomi city tour,Тур по Городу Боржоми: $70
  • Full Day Private Tour in Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi with Guide: $90
  • Kakheti wine region - Private Tour : $72
  • Mtskheta One Day Tour: $58
  • Vardzia - Rabati - Borjomi · Full Day Private Tour · Trending Georgia: $83
  • tour in art-studio in suburb of Tbilisi,you can take memories of georgia along: $103
  • 'Uplistsikhe'-Borjomi 1 Day Tour: $50
  • "Exploring A Personalized Private Tour by Car": $98
  • "Tbilisi to Borjomi Rabati Vardzia:Full-Day GuidedGroupTour: $134
  • "Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri, Ananuri Group Guided Tour": $17
  • "Bodbe,Signaghi,Telavi:GuidedTour FreeWineTasting: $20
  • 002 | Kakheti Wine Region Full Day Tour -Group: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $6.74
    Tbilisi $18

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
  • The Pub Crawl Royale: A Battle of the Best Drinks: $65
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $69

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:

  • Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
  • Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
  • Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $18
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $19
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $20
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format: $24
  • Kakheti: Bodbe (Monastery), Sighnaghi (Love city), Telavi Wine Tour from Tbilisi: $24
  • From Kakheti Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $24


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Tbilisi, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi 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 Addis Ababa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Addis Ababa than you might in Tbilisi.

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 Tbilisi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Tbilisi?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tbilisi. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Tbilisi, 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.