Which place is cheaper, Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru?
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 Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru?
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.
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesJohor Bahru Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Johor Bahru $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Johor Bahru is $68. 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 Johor Bahru in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Johor Bahru $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Johor Bahru $84
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Johor Bahru
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Johor Bahru? 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 Johor Bahru Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Johor Bahru $14
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 Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore Van Transfer: $39
- ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore MPV Transfer: $100
- Universal Studios Singapore Tickets with Round-trip Transfers: $116
- Singapore Universal Studio with Optional One Way Transfer: $100
- Singapore Universal Studio & S.E.A Aquarium-COMBO One-Day Pass(Shared transfer): $210
- Private Transfer from Legoland (Malaysia) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): $163
- Private Transfer from Johor Bahru city to Malacca Cruise Port: $250
- Private Transfer from Johor Bahru City Center to Singapore Hotels: $105
- Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $140
- Private Singapore Departure Airport Transfer from Sentosa Island to Airport: $130
- Malaysia：Senai International Airport（JHB）One-Way Transfer: $80
- Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Johor Bahru?
Prices for flights to both Johor Bahru 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 $40Johor Bahru $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)$2.09
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Johor Bahru $8.28
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: $14
- Arusha's Soul: A Guided Walking & Drive City Tour. Learn & Live.: $21
- Best & Top of Town Tour, Napuru waterfall & Coffee Tour: $25
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
- 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
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
- Coffee tour and Buffet Lunch with Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- Adventure Cove WaterPark Sentosa Island Singpore optional ticket: $33
- Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Tickets: $39
- Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $20
- Dino Rescue Squad - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.72
- Harry Potter Visions of Magic Singapore Entry Ticket with Voucher: $74
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour (Double): $86
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour(Single): $62
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
- Johor Day Tour - Ostrich Farm, Beach, Waterfall, Fireflies [Car]: $279
- Johor Day Tour - Ostrich Farm, Waterfall, Go Kart [Car]: $267
- Johor Day Tour - Southernmost Tip, Eco Farm, Go Kart [Car]: $271
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Johor Bahru $5.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Johor Bahru, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Johor Bahru is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Johor Bahru would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Johor Bahru Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Johor Bahru?
Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Johor Bahru, 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.