Which place is cheaper, Durban or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Arusha or Durban?
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 Durban 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 Durban?
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.
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $166Durban $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $166, while the average daily cost in Durban 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 Arusha and Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $121Durban $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $242Durban $52
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Durban
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Durban? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $12Durban $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha to Nairobi Private Transfer: $167
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $136
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $110
- Transfer from Arusha to Karatu: $110
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Airport transfer: $45
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $113
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $46
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $37
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $525
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $41
- Durban Airport Transfer to Westville: $206
- Durban Airport Transfer to Morningside: $207
- Durban Airport Transfer to City of Durban: $177
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Durban?
Prices for flights to both Durban 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
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Food Meals for one dayArusha $22Durban $17
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $33
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban
For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $42Durban $17
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Arusha National Park Guided Day Tour From Arusha: $290
- Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD : $167
- Materuni Waterfalls, Visiting Chagga Village, CoffeeTour Kikuletwa Hotsprings: $100
- Materuni Waterfalls,Coffee and Chemka Hotspring Tour: $100
- Materuni waterfalls coffee tour & Chemka hot springs Day trip: $95
- Private Tour to Marangu Waterfalls, Chagga Caves, Coffee tour & Hot Springs: $127
- 1 DAY NGORONGORO CRATER DAY TOUR: $360
- 1 Day Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Plantation Tour: $250
- 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
- 1 Day Tour to Tarangire National Park Tanzania: $480
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,775
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,745
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- ½ Day iSimangaliso Boat Safari Tour From Durban: $179
- 1 Day Safari Isimangaliso - Boat Cruise & Game Drive Fr Durban : $198
- 1/2 Day Durban City & Phezulu Tour From Durban: $165
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $128
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $162
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $162
- 1/2 Day Phezulu Safari Tour from Durban: $166
- 1/2 Day Private Tour Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park: $194
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $173
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park Tour from Durban: $168
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $168
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Durban $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Durban
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl in Durban : $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Durban, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Durban.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Durban Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Durban?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Durban, 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.