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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Tromso?

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

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

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.

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Tromso 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 Tromso is $87. 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 Tromso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $16
    Tromso $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $32
    Tromso $68
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Tromso

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Tromso? 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 Tromso


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 Tromso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.80
    Tromso $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.19

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
  • Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tromso

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

  • Highway to Heaven - Aurora Cable Car Transfer in Tromsø: $128
  • Private Airport and City Transfer in Tromso: $112
  • Private Transfer Tromso Airport TOS to Tromso City: $82

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Tromso?

Prices for flights to both Tromso 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
    Tromso $45
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • 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
  • Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
  • Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ 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
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tromso

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

  • Tromso Aurora Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $215
  • Small Group Tromsø: Northern Lights Chase with Photos and Dinner: $237

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.89
    Tromso $6.92

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
  • 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-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
  • 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730
  • 3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem: $288
  • 3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.: $890

Tours and Activities in Tromso

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

  • 1 Hour Photo & History Cruise: $96
  • 2 hour Polar Fishing Adventure: $140
  • 5 Fjords Tour by Minivan in 4 Hours: $205
  • A Tromsø Introduction: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Arctic Fjords Sightseeing Adventure with Arctic Navigator: $140
  • Arctic Nature Tour from Tromsø with Scenic Sommarøy picnic: $116
  • Arctic Stand Up Paddleboarding Adventure near Tromsø: $193
  • Aurora tour with free portrait and bonfire: $156
  • Discover Tromsø: A Self-Guided Tour: $3.52
  • Dog Sledding: A Self-Drive Arctic Experience from Tromsø: $290
  • Evening tour: Sledding, mini skiing, lasso and reindeer hides: $75
  • Express Fjord Road trip with Cruise Ship Pick up and Drop off: $124

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.38
    Tromso $5.74

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


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


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Tromso?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Tromso, 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.