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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Arusha?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $176, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $67. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $129
    Hermanus $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $258
    Hermanus $50
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.

Hotels in Arusha


Hotels in Hermanus


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Hermanus $8.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Airport transfer: $45
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
  • Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
  • Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arusha $24
    Hermanus $38
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

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


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.14

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: $27
  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Africa health cuisine food tour: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $45
    Hermanus -

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • Coffee making tour in Arusha: $27
  • Cycling toure in Arusha villages: $31
  • Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha : $35
  • Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
  • Tanzanite experience tour - Tanzanite shopping in Arusha: $35
  • Sunset Tour in Arusha: $36
  • Kingstone asilia and Coffee tour : $40
  • The Arusha City walking Tour And Local Lunch.: $41
  • The Real Arusha City walking Tour, Tanzania.: $41
  • Guided Mountain bike tour through Arusha village: $43

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

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

  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $269
  • Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $74
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $70
  • Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
  • Hermanus Whale Watching Experience: $173
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $74
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $134
  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $11
    Hermanus -

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 : $24
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $81
  • Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $148
  • Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $167


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.