A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Accra?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Accra 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: Arusha or Accra?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.


Which place is cheaper, Accra or Arusha?

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 Arusha is $188, while the average daily cost in Accra is $52. 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 Arusha and Accra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $125
    Accra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $250
    Accra $44
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Accra? 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 Arusha


Hotels in Accra


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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Accra $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport to Accra: $80
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $76
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $130
  • From Private Airport Transfer, Pickup & Drop-off Services: $35
  • Arrival & Departure Airport Hotel Transfers: $70
  • Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra and Arusha 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
    Arusha $40
    Accra $19
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

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

  • Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

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

  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Accra Osu Night Market Food Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $80
  • Ghana Jollof Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine: $80
  • Private Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra with Local Drinks: $80
  • Accra Makola Market Food Tour With Full Lunch: $82
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Private Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
  • Private 1 to 2 Hours Street Food Tour in Ghana: $100
  • Accra, Ghana: Private Home-Style Ghanaian Cooking Class: $130
  • Private Ghanaian Cooking Class at Accra's Premier Food Hub: $200
  • Food Tour in Accra: $294

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Accra $3.90

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • Best Arusha City Tour: $15
  • Guided Arusha town tour with market visit,shopping, and city walk: $17
  • Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets&Hidden Gems+pickup: $19
  • Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
  • Arusha Town Tour: $30
  • Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
  • Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
  • Hidden Arusha Waterfall, Village & Coffee Tour (All-Inclusive): $36
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
  • Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
  • Private Walking Tour with Giraffes: $55

Tours and Activities in Accra

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

  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $81
  • 2-Day Accra & Cape Coast Tour: $200
  • A Day Tour of Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle & Kakum Park: $280
  • A Day tour to the Cape Coast Castle and Kakum National Pack: $180
  • A Tour of Shai Hills Reserve, Volta River & a Bead Factory.: $100
  • Aburi ATV - Quad Biking and Waterfall Private Tour: $270
  • Aburi Botanic Gardens, Boti Falls,Umbrella Rock & Cocoa Farm Tour: $150
  • Aburi Botanical Gardens and Asenema Waterfalls Day Tour: $165
  • Aburi Botanical Gardens and Cocoa farm - Private Tour: $168
  • Aburi Gardens,First Ever Cocoa Farm & Waterfalls Day Adventure: $75
  • Accra City Day Tour-History,Culture,Markets&Independence Square: $38
  • Accra City Experience in 4 Hours: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Accra $5.59


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

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Accra?

Accra has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Accra, 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.