Which place is cheaper, Nairobi or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Arusha or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi 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 Nairobi?
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.
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $171Nairobi $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $171, while the average daily cost in Nairobi is $63. 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 Nairobi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $125Nairobi $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $250Nairobi $24
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Nairobi
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Nairobi? 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 Nairobi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Nairobi $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $133
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer | Pick Up & Drop up | With BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD: $100
- Kilimanjaro Airport Return Transfers to and From Arusha Hotels: $147
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Train tickets and transfer from Nairobi to mombasa: $67
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $21
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $84
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $84
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Private Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $40
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfers - JKIA 45 minutes waiting time: $35
- Nairobi airport transfer: $35
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Nairobi?
Prices for flights to both Nairobi 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 $23Nairobi $7.63
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)$2.08
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: $27
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $80
- Barbecue Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $92
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $98
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Nairobi $47
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Marangu waterfall & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD : $150
- 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
- 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
- 2 Day Mount Meru Private Camping Tour from Arusha: $200
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
- 8-Hour Lake Chala Guided Tour from Moshi or Arusha | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS Co LTD: $260
- ARUSHA LANDMARK CITY TOUR by walking : $25
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha City Day Tour: $103
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private Tour Nairobi national park & Giraffe Centre: $120
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
- 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $50
- 12-Hour Private Tour to Amboseli National Park: $220
- 1Day Ngong Hills Hiking ang Zip Line Adventure: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Nairobi $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Nairobi, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Nairobi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Nairobi?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Nairobi, 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.