Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 Rome?
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 Rome 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 Rome?
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.
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesRome Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Rome $237
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Rome is $237. 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 Rome in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Rome $103
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Rome $206
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Rome
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Rome? 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 Rome Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Rome $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $288
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
-
Metro Ride (for Two)$2.29
-
Train to the Airport$17
-
Taxi to Airport$51
-
Bicycle Rental (Full Day)$11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- VIP Experience Private Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome: $110
- Transfers from Fiumicino airport: $81
- Transfers Ciampino airport To Rome: $49
- Transfer to Fiumicino/Ciampino Airport from Rome city center: $55
- Transfer service from Fiumicino Airport to Rome 4 - 8 passengers: $151
- Transfer from/to train stations in Rome 1 - 3 passengers: $81
- Transfer from the Port of Civitavecchia to Rome: $169
- Transfer from Rome to the Rome Airports: $65
- Transfer from Rome to the Port of Civitavecchia: $169
- Transfer from Rome to the Beverello pier (Naples): $294
- Transfer from Rome to MagicLand: $123
- Transfer from Rome to Fiumicino Airport & viceversa: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 $40Rome $96
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:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$16
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches$3.42
-
Cafe e doce$4.57
-
Pizza (Fast Food)$3.03
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$36
-
Cheese and bread$11
-
Espresso$2.29
-
Dinner$66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Rome Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $40
- Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
- Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine: $41
- Roman Dinner after History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $44
- Pizza Cooking Class in Rome - Near Piazza Navona: $45
- Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
- Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
- Fettuccine Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $46
- Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $47
- Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
- The Original Fettuccine & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome: $49
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Rome $41
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Best Arusha City Tour: $15
- Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets & Hidden Gems: $18
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha City Tour Markets Culture and Maasai Experiences: $22
- Arusha Town Tour: $30
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
- Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Banana Bliss Plantation Coffee Medicinal and Waterfall Tour: $45
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)$79
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)$38
-
Roma Pass$34
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)$23
-
Segway Tour$86
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- " Private pantheon tour: Explore Rome's Divine masterpiece": $103
- 1 Day Rome Tour from Civitavecchia for Cruise Passengers: $89
- 1 Hour Pantheon Tour: A Time Travel Experience in Rome + Ebook: $110
- 1 hour Little Ancient Tour of Rome by Mini Vintage Cabriolet with Cappuccino: $162
- 1,5 H Ancient Rome Tour on a Golf Cart: $80
- 1,5H Historical City Center Tour on a Golf Cart at Rome: $80
- 2-Hour Private Shopping Tour in Rome with Personal Stylist - Personal Shopper: $116
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Rome's Enchanting Jewish Ghetto: $93
- 2.5 Hours Private Tour in Rome on a Vintage Fiat 500 open cabrio: $184
- 2h Xmas Lights Panoramic Vespa Sidecar Tour: $115
- 2h30 Tour of Rome Cathedral and Holy Stairs: $110
- 3 Hour Instagram Private Tour in Rome with Pickup: $174
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Rome $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.43
-
Pint of Beer$7.25
-
Beer$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $22
- Unique Wine Tasting in Enoteca in Rome San Pietro Area: $32
- Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
- Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
- Rome Wine Tasting in Monte dei Cocci | Authentic Lazio Wines: $45
- Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $49
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $52
- Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $56
- Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $58
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $64
- Rome Bar Crawl: Interactive Night Tour with Games and Karaoke: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Arusha much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Rome is in Europe, 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 Arusha would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arusha 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome than you might in Arusha.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Rome Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Rome?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Rome, 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.