Which place is cheaper, Nairobi or Dar es Salaam?
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 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesNairobi Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Nairobi $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Nairobi is $68. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Nairobi $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Nairobi $24
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Nairobi $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $104
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Dar Es Salaam Transfer from Airport Hotel Ferry or Train: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Masai Mara One-Way Flight & Transfer: $650
- From Mount Kenya Day Hike with Transfers: $325
- Kenya: Airport Transfers to Nairobi, Mombasa, and More: $250
- Nairobi City Taste Experience with Minivan Transfer: $245
- From Horseback Wildlife Safari with Transfer & Meal: $235
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- ATV/Quad Bike Wildlife Safari with Transfers & meal: $190
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- E-Bike/Cycling Wildlife Safari with Transfer & meal: $155
- Scenic Horseback Riding Adventure with Transfers: $153
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
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Food Meals for one dayDar es Salaam $31Nairobi $13
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:
- Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers: $70
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Kenyan Food Tour with Drinks: $13
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
- Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $25
- Nightlife, Lounges, and Dinner Experiences: $30
- 1 Hour Gastronomic and Street Food tour of Nairobi: $32
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Cooking Class with Kenyan and Indian Dishes: $42
- Authentic Nairobi Cooking Class & Local Market Experience: $45
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Guide- No Meal: $48
- Nightlife Tour with Dinner, Drinks, and Club Entry: $50
- Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $51
- Kariakor Market & Kibandaski Food Tour: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Nairobi $46
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Market & Kaole Ruins: $280
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bongoyo Island Full Day Tour from Dar Es Salaam: $120
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Dar Es Salaam City tour: $161
- Dar es Salaam Architectural Guided Walking Tour and History: $22
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Visit all attractive places: $130
- Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- 1 Day Amboseli National Park Tour With Masai Village Tour: $169
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park Tour: $150
- 1 Day Purple Farm Tour from Nairobi Tea Tasting and Lunch: $295
- 1-Day Mount Longonot Hiking Adventure From Nairobi: $195
- 10-Day Private Safari and Diani Beach Tour: $2,756
- 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
- 2 Days Amboseli using Safari Landcruiser 4x4 (with options): $105
- 2-Days 1 Night Samburu National Reserve Safari Tour: $790
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Day Safari Tour in Masai mara with 4x4 vehicle: $500
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Nairobi $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nightlife Tour /Bar Crawl: $23
- Guided Pub Crawl with Free Drink: $25
- Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $25
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
- Thika Road Matatu Ride & Pub Crawl: $75
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Nairobi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Nairobi?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Dar es Salaam. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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.