Which place is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Zurich, 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesZurich Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $29Zurich $366
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $366. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $16Zurich $199
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $32Zurich $398
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.82Zurich $42
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$0.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $474
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $447
- Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Lucerne.: $336
- Premium Private Transfer Zurich to Luzern or (Vice Versa): $293
- Private Transfer: Zurich or Airport ZRH to Basel by Luxury Van: $279
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Neuhausen am Rheinfall: $268
- Private direct transfer from Zurich to Interlaken: $261
- Private driver, door-to-door transfer from Zurich to Bern: $245
- Private Transfer Zurich city to Zurich Airport ZRH by Minibus: $239
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Minibus: $239
- Private direct transfer from Zurich to Vaduz: $234
- Private direct transfer from St. Gallen to Zurich: $223
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $11Zurich $125
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:
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
- Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $70
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
- Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $75
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
- Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
- Addis Ababa Private City Tour with Immersive Cooking Class Lunch: $85
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $175
- Taste Zurich – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.91Zurich $42
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
- 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
- Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $38
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $40
- Open-bus Tour and Cycling: $41
- Local Food Open Market, City Tours & More.: $42
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
- Merkato Addis Ababa Guided Tour: $42
- Mercato Market Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $43
- Best of Addis Ababa Tour: $45
- Addis Ababa DayTours with Hotel/Airport pick up and drop off: $45
- Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $108
- Afternoon Zurich Tour with Artisanal Chocolate and Rhine Falls: $140
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $159
- Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $102
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride: $83
- Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $102
- Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $108
- City e-bike tour: $50
- City tour Archaeology in Zurich: $25
- City tour Zurich milieu: $25
- City tour Zurich with the city whispers from CHF 21.00: $102
- Day tour to Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.40Zurich $34
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Zurich?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Zurich, 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.