Which place is cheaper, Petra or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Arusha or Petra?
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 Petra 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 Petra?
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.
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesPetra Prices
Jordan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Petra $153
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Petra is $153. 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 Petra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Petra $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Petra $118
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Petra
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Petra? 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 Petra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Petra $23
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
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
- Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $94
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
- From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
- Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Petra?
Prices for flights to both Petra 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 $40Petra $66
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)$2.09
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
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Petra $47
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
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
- Arusha Waterfalls,Coffee farm Tour & Swing(all inclusive): $30
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- Exclusive Golden Hour Sunrise Tour in Petra: $150
- From Petra : Wadi Rum Private 8 - hours roundtrip tour .: $190
- Half-Day Private Indiana Jones Petra Back Road Trial Tour: $165
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour | Guide Sami Nawafleh: $225
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- Petra Highlights Guided Golf Cart Tour with Hotel Pickup: $169
- Private 2-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $210
- Private 3-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Petra $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Petra, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Petra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Petra is in Middle East, 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 Petra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Petra 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 Petra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Petra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Petra?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Petra, 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.