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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Tokyo?

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

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

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.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Addis Ababa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $67, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $154. 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 Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $43
    Tokyo $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $86
    Tokyo $154
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo


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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $7.78
    Tokyo $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

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

  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $110
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $44
  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $22
  • Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • Private Transfer between Tokyo and Hakuba or Nozawa: $1,177
  • Hakuba: Private transfer from/to Tokyo/HND by minibus max 9: $843
  • Private Transfers between Tokyo and Snow Monkey Park: $822
  • One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $732
  • Haneda airport to/from Naeba city Private Transfer: $673
  • From Tokyo:Private tour to Kamakura with Round-way transfer: $599
  • Haneda airport to/from Karuizawa Town Private Transfer: $588
  • 10-hour Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $562
  • One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nikko: $536
  • Narita Airport: Private one way transfer by Luxury car/Van: $497
  • Haneda Airport to/from Kamakura City Private Transfer: $497
  • Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $471

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Tokyo?

Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $17
    Tokyo $37
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
  • Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $70
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
  • Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116
  • 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: $140
  • 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
  • Cooking Class and City Tour in Addis Ababa: $193
  • Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

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


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.23
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.23
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

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

  • Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
  • Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
  • 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
  • Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $39
  • Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
  • Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji 90-Minute cooking class: $54
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
  • Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
  • Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
  • 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $65
  • Japanese Home Cooking Class near Tokyo Disneyland: $66
  • 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $8.03
    Tokyo $69

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
  • 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $311
  • 3 Days Visiting Harar and Dire Dawa Tours: $480
  • 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $69
  • 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: $3,875
  • A guided tour of Addis Abeba that includes a city viewpoint: $65
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day City Tour: $180
  • Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
  • Addis Ababa Bole Airport Culinary and Walking Tour : $69
  • Addis Ababa City - Half Day Tour: $55

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

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

  • 4 Hours Private Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $100
  • Art Japanese Fan Crafting Experience in Tokyo Asakusa: $23
  • Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $100
  • Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
  • “Your name.” Going on an electric bicycle <Roppongi, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku> A 6-hour tour of a sacred place. (With support car): $137
  • "Nippori Fabric Town" Walking Tour: $41
  • *Starting / Ending at Your Hotel* 3hr Private E-bike Tour Tokyo: $134
  • 1 Day Bus Tour To Mitsumine Shrine From Shinjuku: $88
  • 1 Day Tokyo Private Charter Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $500
  • 1 Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Private Wagon: $490
  • 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $147
  • 1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Shibuya: The Best of Both: $152

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $6.63
    Tokyo $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pub crawl Addis Ababa: $55
  • Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
  • The Pub Crawl Royale: A Battle of the Best Drinks: $65
  • Locally crafted beer and wine tasting and nightlife in Addis tour: $65
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $69

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.92

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

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

  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $80
  • Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $92
  • barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $98
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
  • Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $105
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $137
  • Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
  • Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
  • Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
  • Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $233


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Tokyo?

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