Should I Visit Addis Ababa or Tbilisi for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

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.

Which place is cheaper, Tbilisi 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.

Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices

Tbilisi Prices
Georgia Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Addis Ababa $36

Tbilisi $33

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $36, while the average daily cost in Tbilisi is $33. 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 $20

Tbilisi $12
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Addis Ababa $40

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.

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 $3.53

Tbilisi $5.88

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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

Short Taxi Ride

$0.24

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: $139
Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $21
City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $26
Bole Airport Transfer: $25
Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $19
Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $16
Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
Addis Ababa Airport Transfer and pickup: $19
Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

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

Transfer Tbilisi Batumi: $350
Tbilisi Yerevan Transfer: $350
From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Batumi: $317
Private Transfer from Tbilisi to Batumi: $316
One way Yerevan Tbilisi transfer with Gyumri city tour: $285
Private Transfer from Tbilisi to Batumi: $250
Private transfer: Yerevan-Tbilisi: $243
Tbilisi to Yerevan One way transfer: $230
Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel and from hotel to airport : $203
Transfer from the airport, railway and bus station in Tbilisi : $200
Paintball Experience with Equipment and Transfers: $180
Private Transfer from Georgia To Armenia With Tour: $177

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 $14

Tbilisi $13

Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

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

Slice of Cake

$0.06

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
Ethiopia Half-Day Market Tour Food Tour & Coffee Ceremony Tours: $60
Mom's cooking class: $60
Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
City Tour, Food Tour, Shopping Mercato Market : $72
Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show: $77
Culinary Class and Food Tour in Addis Ababa : $82
Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $83
Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
Ethiopian cooking class: $95
Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

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

Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
Georgian traditional bread "Khachapuri" master cooking class!! : $34
Khinkali Cooking Class in a Local Family: $35
Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
Discovery more Tbilisi evening wine tasting food tour: $65
Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $70
Taste of Georgia. Cooking-Class Khinkali, Khachapuri and more: $75
Guided tour Discover Armenia Hagpati Sanahin,Akhtala,Local dinner: $77
Tbilisi Street Food Tour (All-inclusive): $80
Tbilisi Street Food Tour (All-inclusive): $90

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Addis Ababa $3.64

Tbilisi $14

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

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

Fullday VIP Tour to The Unity Park, Friendship Park, Entoto park: $95
"Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
2 Day Lalibela Tours: $300
2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $295
2 Days guided Tour in Addis Abeba: $68
2-Day Sof Omar Cave and Sheik Hussein Shrine Tour: $450
3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
3 Days Visiting Harar and Dire Dawa Tours: $480
4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $85
4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $75
5 Days Visiting Tigray Churches Tours: $1,200
9 Days Omo Valley and Danakil Danakil Depression tour: $3,805

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
Kazbegi Tour from Tbilisi 2022: $160
Tbilisi City Tour with Street Photography: $65
tour in art-studio in suburb of Tbilisi,you can take memories of georgia along: $103
1 Day Guided Express Shared Tour in Tbilisi in Georgia: $215
1 Day Horse Riding Adventure in Borjomi Mountains: $170
1 Day Kazbegi Tour: $26
1 Day Tour in Dashbashi Canyon: $50
1 Full Day Kakheti Private tour: $67
1 day Mtskheta Tour: $26
1-Day Kazbegi Private tour : $36
13 km hike in Borjomi - Group tour from Tbilisi: $46

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Addis Ababa $3.01

Tbilisi $17

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
Pub crawl Addis Ababa: $69
Locally crafted beer and wine tasting and nightlife in Addis tour: $85

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

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

Wine Tasting in Tbilisi: $9.00
3 Hours GRAND Wine Tasting event of 20 Different Wines in Tbilisi: $10
Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
Kakheti Wine Tasting Tour of Signagi and Bodbe: $19
Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $19
Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $19
One Day Kakheti Tour with Wine Tasting and Free Churchkhela: $20
Wine Tasting feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $20
Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
Old tbilisi walking tour & wine tasting: $20
Pub Crawl tour with special drinks: $22

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Addis Ababa and Tbilisi, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Addis Ababa is in Africa and Tbilisi is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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.

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