A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Nairobi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Nairobi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Nairobi?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Nairobi or Dar es Salaam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $473, while the average daily cost in Nairobi is $55. 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 Dar es Salaam and Nairobi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $446
    Nairobi $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $892
    Nairobi $20
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi

Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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.

Hotels in Dar es Salaam


Hotels in Nairobi


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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Nairobi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $14
    Nairobi $9.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
  • Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
  • Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers : $250
  • Private Transfer from Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) to Morogoro: $575
  • Private Transfer from Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) to Dar El Salaam: $73
  • Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Dar es Salaam Airport by luxury car: $125
  • Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Dar es Salaam Airport DAR by Business Car: $100
  • Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam city to Dar es Salaam Airport DAR by Minivan: $21
  • Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport DAR to Dar es Salaam city by minivan: $21
  • Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport DAR to Dar es Salaam by Luxury Car: $125
  • Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport DAR to Dar es Salaam by Business Car: $100
  • Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $73

Typical Local Transportation prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $8.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 4 by 4 land cruiser and Jeep transfer to Maasai mara Hotels: $960
  • Private Transfer from Masai Mara to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $924
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Masai Mara: $924
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $850
  • Nairobi Airport: 1-Way Transfer to Maasai Mara Reserve: $495
  • Masai Mara Transfer From Nairobi on 4 X 4 Toyota Land-Cruiser - Daily Departures: $475
  • Airport transfers: $180
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $167
  • Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $167
  • Airport Transfer from Nairobi to Naiavsha: $145
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
  • Full-Day Private Transfer in Nairobi: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Nairobi?

Prices for flights to both Nairobi and Dar es Salaam 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 day
    Dar es Salaam $19
    Nairobi $6.67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam

For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Experience Tanzania Culture and Local Food Cooking: $68
  • Market Tour & Cooking Class in Morogoro including Hotel Transfers: $98
  • Private Swahili Cooking Class: $115

Typical Food prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.47

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
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $26
  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Traditional Ugali cooking class in Nairobi: $50
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Nairobi $41

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.

  • 5 Days Classic Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Tour: $1,800
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $150
  • 10 Days Mikumi Ruaha Selous Experience: $4,538
  • 10 Days Southern Comfort Tour: $4,639
  • 10-Day Nature Wildlife Experience Safari with Boat Trip: $3,300
  • 11-Day The Hidden Safari Treasures of Africa Private Guided Tour: $6,344
  • 11-Day Zanzibar to Serengeti (Adventure Camping Tour): $2,446
  • 13-Day Safari Southern Tanzania Tour from Dar es Salaam: $3,800
  • 2 Day Wildlife Experience and Masai Culture Mikumi Park: $552
  • 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
  • 2 Days Comfort Tarangire National & Ngorongoro Crater Tour: $1,040
  • 2 Days Private Safari Tour in Mikumi National Park : $875

Typical Entertainment prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $14

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 11 Days Guided Africa Wildlife Photography Tours: $5,739
  • 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $50
  • 2 Days: Lake Naivasha, Hells Gate & Lake Nakuru Tour: $287
  • 4 Days/3 Nights Adventure in Maasai Mara – Lake Nakur: $923
  • 5 Days Big Five Safari Tour in Kenya: $1,067
  • 6 Days /5 Nights Adventure in Masai Mara,Lake Nakuru, Amboseli: $1,375
  • Coffee Farm tour from Nairobi: $90
  • Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
  • Day Tour Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Chimpanzee Sanctuary : $360
  • Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $89
  • Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
  • Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.88
    Nairobi $14

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, we can see that Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Nairobi.

Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Nairobi?

Nairobi is bigger, and its population is about 2% larger than the population of Dar es Salaam. When comparing the population of Dar es Salaam vs. 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Dar es Salaam vs. Nairobi Travel Comparison

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