Which place is cheaper, Nairobi or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
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.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesNairobi Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $187Nairobi $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $187, while the average daily cost in Nairobi is $67. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $124Nairobi $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $248Nairobi $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
-
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:
- Tanzanite Experience Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $159
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- From Arusha : Canoeing Lake Duluti Tour with transfer,lunch: $52
- Ngorongoro Crater Safari Day Trip with transfer,meal: $299
- Combi Lake Duluti Walk and Canoeing tour, transfer: $122
- 4Days Mount Meru Climbing with free airport transfer: $1,480
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Airport transfer: $45
- 3-Day Zanzibar to Arusha, Road Transfer to Serengeti: $3,000
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $30
- Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $47
- Return Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $120
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $80
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $291
- Private Shuttle Van Transfer: $100
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $40
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
-
Food Meals for one dayArusha $40Nairobi $13
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.07
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: $42
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Full Day In City tour, Cooking class, Waterfall & Coffee : $98
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- 1 Hour Gastronomic and Street Food tour of Nairobi: $40
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $49
- Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi: $50
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $50
- Cooking Class with Local Organic Market Visit: $50
- Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $52
- Matatu Ride and Street Food Tour: $60
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Authentic Kenyan Cooking Class & Market Tour in Nairobi: $64
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $64
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $43Nairobi $46
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 coffee tour & Chemka hot springs Day trip: $95
- 1 Day Materuni Waterfalls Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $128
- 1 Day Small group Tour Tanzania sharing Safari - Tarangire N.P: $270
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,745
- 12 Days Tanzania Wildlife Photographic Safari Experience: $8,595
- 1Day Safari Tour Tarangire National Park Join Group: $279
- 2-Day Migration Safari with a Hot Air Balloon Adventure.: $2,397
- 3 Days Safari Adventure Explore the Wild Heart of Africa: $1,436
- 3-Day Experience Wildlife and Hot Air Balloon Adventures: $2,955
- 3-Day Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro + Balloon experience: $1,900
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Animal Orphanage Half Day Tour in Nairobi: $150
- Coffee Farm tour from Nairobi: $90
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Giraffe Centre Nairobi City Tour Explore: $225
- Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
- Hells Gate and Lake Naivasha Guided Bike Tour From Nairobi: $295
- Nairobi Giraffe Center Layover Tour with Pickup: $95
- Nairobi Guided City Tour: $70
- Nairobi Museum Snake Park Giraffe Center and Beads Center Tour: $95
- Nairobi National Museum Shared Tour by 4WD: $135
- Nairobi National Park Group Joining Daily Tour: $138
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Nairobi $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $23
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
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.