Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Arusha or Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth?
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.
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
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 in South Africa, and The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $176Port Elizabeth $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $176, while the average daily cost in Port Elizabeth is $44. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $129Port Elizabeth $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $258Port Elizabeth $46
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Port Elizabeth
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Port Elizabeth $9.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
- Airport transfer: $45
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Port Elizabeth?
Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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 $24Port Elizabeth $14
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)$2.14
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
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $106
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $45Port Elizabeth $9.37
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Coffee making tour in Arusha: $27
- Cycling toure in Arusha villages: $31
- Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha : $35
- Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
- Tanzanite experience tour - Tanzanite shopping in Arusha: $35
- Sunset Tour in Arusha: $36
- Kingstone asilia and Coffee tour : $40
- The Arusha City walking Tour And Local Lunch.: $41
- The Real Arusha City walking Tour, Tanzania.: $41
- Guided Mountain bike tour through Arusha village: $43
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,493
- Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $180
- From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $349
- Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $45
- Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $72
- Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $144
- Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $131
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $11Port Elizabeth $2.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Port Elizabeth, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Port Elizabeth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port Elizabeth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Port Elizabeth Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Port Elizabeth, 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.