A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jinja vs. Antananarivo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jinja or Antananarivo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja or Antananarivo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Jinja or Antananarivo?

Jinja

Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar.


Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Jinja?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $92, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $72. 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 Jinja and Antananarivo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinja $44
    Antananarivo $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinja $88
    Antananarivo $60
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Antananarivo

Looking for a hotel in Jinja or Antananarivo? 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 Jinja


Hotels in Antananarivo


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: Jinja Hotel Prices and Antananarivo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinja $22
    Antananarivo $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Jinja or Antananarivo?

Prices for flights to both Antananarivo and Jinja 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
    Jinja $28
    Antananarivo $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Street food and Cooking class tour in Antananarivo: $163
  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinja $29
    Antananarivo $24

Tours and Activities in Jinja

Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Banana Kayak Experience in Bubugo with Lunch: $25
  • Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
  • Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
  • David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
  • Three days source of the nile & sipi falls tour: $760
  • White Water Rafting & Source of the Nile Adventure: $760
  • 3days jinja and sipi falls tour: $800
  • Uganda: 4 Day Jinja City Tour Uganda: $1,655
  • 18 Days African Jungle Safari Tour: $9,433

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Antananarivo: $35
  • Private Ambohimanga and Ironwork Shop Tour from Antananarivo: $86
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $136
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $144
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $201
  • Day tour discovery Tour to Ampefy village: $272
  • Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
  • 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $682

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinja $13
    Antananarivo $9.65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinja and Antananarivo, we can see that Jinja is more expensive. And not only is Antananarivo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antananarivo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antananarivo 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 Jinja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinja than you might in Antananarivo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinja Expensive? and Is Antananarivo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jinja or Antananarivo?

Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Jinja. When comparing the sizes of Jinja and Antananarivo, 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.

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