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

Should you visit Arusha or Lisbon?

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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon?

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.

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Lisbon 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 Lisbon is $191. 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 Lisbon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $125
    Lisbon $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $250
    Lisbon $144
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Lisbon

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon


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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Lisbon $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    $7.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

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

  • sintra private luxury transfer to or from lisbon airport: $128
  • Transfers and Tours safely and comfortably aboard a Tesla M3: $41
  • Transfer to Sintra, Cascais, Estoril and Carcavelos from Lisbon: $129
  • Transfer to Setubal (not Troia or Comporta) from Lisbon: $59
  • Transfer to Lamego from Lisbon: $240
  • Transfer to Figueira da Foz from Lisbon: $256
  • Transfer to Fátima from Lisbon: $283
  • Transfer to Ericeira from Lisbon: $116
  • Transfer to Elvas from Lisbon: $292
  • Transfer to Comporta / Troia from Lisbon: $206
  • Transfer service to Lisbon: $38
  • Transfer saida Lisboa - Sesimbra ou Setúbal ou Palmela: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Lisbon?

Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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
    Lisbon $83
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

Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

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


  • Coffee
    $2.85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

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

  • Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Lisbon Pizza & Sangria Escape on a Cozy Boat Cruise: $35
  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $41
  • Lisbon Night Party Cruise with DJ, Pizza & Drinks: $47
  • Lisbon Flavors and Traditions Small Group Food Tour: $55
  • Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $65
  • Lisbon No-Uphill Food Tour with 17 Tastings, Wines and Sips: $66
  • Lisbon Portuguese Food Tour: $66
  • Old Lisbon No-Uphill Food Tour: 17 Tastings, Wines & Sips: $71
  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Lisbon $27

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
  • Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
  • Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
  • Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
  • Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets&Hidden Gems+pickup: $19
  • Arusha National Park Guided Day Tour From Arusha: $290
  • Arusha National Park Private Day Safari &Walking Tour with Ranger: $270
  • Arusha Nightlife Tour: $60
  • Arusha Private City Tour: $70
  • Arusha Town Tour: $30

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

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

  • Évora Day Trip from Private Tour with Chapel of Bones: $266
  • Évora Historical Private Tour: $153
  • Évora with Wine Experience: Beyond the Tejo River: $280
  • Óbidos (Medieval Town) Half Day Private Tour from Lisbon: $212
  • Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $170
  • Óbidos Christmas Charm -A Festive Walking Private Tour: $249
  • Óbidos Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.29
  • Óbidos Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $9.98
  • Óbidos and Fatima Tour: $153
  • Óbidos historic village and Mafra Palace Private Tour: $135
  • "Help the Marquis of Pombal save the king!" Self-Guided Walk Tour: $59
  • 1 Hour Scenic Tuk Tuk Tour through Chiado and Bairro Alto + Ebook: $188

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Lisbon $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $24
  • Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $24
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $28
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl: $29
  • Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Wine Tasting with the best view in Lisbon: $53
  • Carcavelos Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $53
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting and Food Pairing: $76
  • From Family Winery Tour, Historic Cellars & Wine Tasting: $76
  • Wine Tasting with Cheeses Charcutaria and Bread Table: $76
  • Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $78


When comparing the travel costs between Arusha and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Arusha is in Africa and Lisbon is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Lisbon?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Lisbon, 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.