Which place is cheaper, Mombasa or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Arusha or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa?
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.
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $166Mombasa $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $166, while the average daily cost in Mombasa is $64. 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 Mombasa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $121Mombasa $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $242Mombasa $52
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Mombasa
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Mombasa? 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 Mombasa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $12Mombasa $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Arusha to Karatu: $110
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $136
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $110
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
- Arusha to Nairobi Private Transfer: $167
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Airport transfer: $45
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Nyali/Bamburi: $39
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $30
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $76
- Private Transfer from Diani Beach Hotels to Moi Airport: $70
- Private One-Way Mombasa Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Luxury Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport: $34
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Mombasa Train Station Private Transfer to Kikambala/Vipingo: $61
- Mombasa Town: Private Airport Transfer to Hotel and AirBnB: $40
- Mombasa SGR Train Station Private transfer to Shanzu/Mtwapa: $53
- Mombasa Private Airport Transfer: Cheap & Comfortable: $34
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Mombasa?
Prices for flights to both Mombasa 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 $22Mombasa $24
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
- Arusha:TRADITIONAL & LOCAL COOKING CLASS & FOOD MARKET VISIT: $45
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $45
- Fort Jesus Sound and Light Show Tour With Dinner.: $47
- Fort Jesus Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $48
- Swahili food Cooking Class Experience: $48
- Momobasa: Food tour,Swahili culture,spice market experience: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $42Mombasa $18
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
- 1-Day Ngorongoro Crater Special Tour: $645
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,775
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $170
- Kongo River Sunset Experience in Canoe: $39
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $216
- 1 Day Mombasa city Tour: $150
- 2 Days adventure from Mombasa to Ngutuni Game sanctuary.: $460
- 3 Hour Real Kenya Tour with a Local Guide: $40
- Aquatic experiences at the coastal of Mombasa-Nyali.: $90
- City Tour with Ghalib: $73
- Day Tour To Mombasa: $145
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $268
- Day tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $239
- Diani Beach Village Tour on a Bike with Hotel Pickup: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Mombasa $8.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Mombasa
Also in Mombasa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Coastal Pub Crawl - Bamburi Drunk Tour: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Mombasa, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Mombasa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Mombasa?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Mombasa, 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.