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

Should you visit Arusha or Mumbai?

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 Mumbai 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 Mumbai?

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.

Mumbai

Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Mumbai 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 $189, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $76. 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 Mumbai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Mumbai $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Mumbai $60
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Mumbai

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Mumbai? 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 Mumbai


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 Mumbai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Mumbai $6.46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

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

  • Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $64
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport: $43
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai: $59
  • Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $43
  • Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer from Mumbai Hotel to Airport Including VIP Assistance: $214
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel Including VIP Assistance: $214
  • Private Arrival Departure Airport Transfers Mumbai: $43
  • One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Mumbai?

Prices for flights to both Mumbai 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
    Mumbai $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)
    $2.09

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

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

  • Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour with Evening Market Walk: $17
  • Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Lights, Flavour, Action- A Story-Driven Food Tour: $30
  • Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
  • Flavors of Mumbai Food Tour: $37
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour: $38
  • Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $41
  • Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
  • Mumbai Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $46
  • Indian Chai and Pakora Cooking Class: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Mumbai $2.34

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
  • 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
  • 2 Day Mount Meru Private Camping Tour from Arusha: $280
  • 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
  • A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
  • Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
  • Arusha A Walking City Tour Museum Culture and Everyday Life: $60
  • Arusha African Shopping Tour: $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 City town tour: $101

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.

  • " Dash Of Mumbai " Sightseeing & Experiences-by Goi Licensed Guide Ragini Doshi: $284
  • "Mumbai - Dharavi Slum Tour": $8.55
  • "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $43
  • 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $21
  • 3 Hours Early Morning in South Mumbai Heritage Bicycle Tour: $34
  • 3-Day Mumbai to Nashik, Ajanta and Ellora Tour with Car and Guide: $149
  • 7 Hour Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour By Navv Om Namaha Shivaya: $107
  • All in one Combo of City ,Slum,Dhobighat & Dabbawala tour: $77
  • All-Inclusive Private Full-Day Mumbai Sights & Local Experiences: $163
  • Asia Largest Dharavi Slum Guided Tour: $16
  • Audio Guided Tour – Mumbai Cricket Walk by HopOn India: $5.34
  • Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Mumbai $3.25

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $34
  • Sula Vineyards Wine Tasting Day Trip from Mumbai by Train or Car: $131


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Mumbai, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Mumbai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Mumbai 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 Mumbai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mumbai 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 Mumbai.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Mumbai?

Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Mumbai, 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.