A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antananarivo vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antananarivo or Diani?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Diani can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Diani?

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

Diani

Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Antananarivo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $70, while the average daily cost in Diani is $55. 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 Antananarivo and Diani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $29
    Diani $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $58
    Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Diani? 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 Antananarivo


Hotels in Diani


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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Diani Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $14
    Diani $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $100
  • Madagascar: Airport Ivato transfer to hotel: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

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

  • airport hotel transfer: $36
  • Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $72
  • From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Diani?

Prices for flights to both Diani and Antananarivo 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
    Antananarivo $28
    Diani $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani

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

  • Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
  • A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $23
    Diani $15

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $1,000
  • AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES IN THE HEART OF NATURE ANTANANARIVO: $3,281
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $36
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $65
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $24
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $148
  • From 9 days unique adventure trip to Tulear: $2,133
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $205
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299

Tours and Activities in Diani

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

  • Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $27
  • Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $27
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
  • Samburu: Traditional Activities Experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
  • Mangrove Sunset Canoe Tour with Local Guide: $35
  • Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
  • Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $42
  • Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.39
    Diani $8.91

Sample the Local Flavors in Diani

Also in Diani, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $44


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.