A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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 Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

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


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Arusha Prices
    Tanzania Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Arusha $189
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $201

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $201. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $216
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)


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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.93

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 to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Zip line ex Intercontinental Fiji with return private transfers: $215
  • Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private return transfer: $186
  • Treetops Fiji Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $131
  • Shuttle transfer to Nadi Airport: $50
  • Shared transfer- Nadi Airport to Denarau island Fiji: $94
  • Shared Transfers from Airport to Denarau: $12
  • Shared Transfer from Nadi Airport Fiji to Nadi area hotels: $9.36
  • Shared Transfer To Nadi Airport from Denarau Resorts: $9.36
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Hotel to Airport: $21
  • Roundtrip Transfer :Nadi Airport to Crowne Plaza Hotel Nadi bay: $21
  • Round Trip Transfer -Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort: $65
  • Round Trip Private Transfer From Nadi Airport To Your Resort: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $70
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
  • Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nadi (Port Denarau).

  • Capt Cook Cruises Super Saver Combo: Day Sail + Dinner Cruise: $204

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $33

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: $19
  • Arusha's Soul: A Guided Walking & Drive City Tour. Learn & Live.: $21
  • Arusha Waterfalls,Coffee farm Tour & Swing(all inclusive): $30
  • Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $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
  • Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
  • Coffee tour and Buffet Lunch with Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • "Half Day Nadi Highlights Tour”: $150
  • 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $168
  • 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $93
  • Authentic Cultural and Historical Village Tour of Nadi Ex Fiji Marriott Resort: $159
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka): $103
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $102
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $180
  • Cultural Night Tour: $82
  • Discover Coral Coast & Natadola Beach Tour: $95
  • Discover Nadi Tour: $86
  • Discover Nadi with Sabeto Hotspring and Mudpool Tour: $117
  • FIJI: Official Sabeto Hotspring and Mudpool Tour: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $12


When comparing the travel costs between Arusha and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific, 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Arusha has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.