Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Hermanus?
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 Hermanus 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 Hermanus?
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.
Hermanus
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesHermanus Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Hermanus $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $110. 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 Hermanus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Hermanus $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Hermanus $56
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Hermanus
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Hermanus? 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 Hermanus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Hermanus $9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Hermanus?
Prices for flights to both Hermanus 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 $40Hermanus $77
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)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Hermanus -
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Arusha Guided Walking City Tour: Culture, History & Local Markets: $19
- Arusha's Soul: A Guided Walking & Drive City Tour. Learn & Live.: $21
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
- Arusha Waterfalls,Coffee farm Tour & Swing(all inclusive): $30
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
- Banana Bliss Plantation Coffee Medicinal and Waterfall Tour: $45
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha: $50
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Coffee tour and Buffet Lunch with Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
Tours and Activities in Hermanus
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:
- Fatbike Dune tours in the Walker Bay nature reserve: $77
- Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $290
- Hermanus Cliff Walk History Tour - a walk back in time: $22
- Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $149
- Hermanus Land based Whale Tour with Dave de Beer: $94
- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $92
- Township Tour: $50
- Morning Fatbike Dune Tour: $89
- Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $174
- Sunset Fatbike Dune Experience: $89
- The Best of Cape Town Whale Watching Full Day Tour and Transport: $268
- Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from 15th JUNE 2026: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Hermanus -
Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus
Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide: $64
- Unguided Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Hermanus, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Hermanus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hermanus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hermanus 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 Hermanus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Hermanus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Hermanus?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Hermanus, 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.