Which place is cheaper, Diani or Jinja?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jinja or Diani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja or Diani, 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 Diani?
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.
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinja $92Diani $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $92, while the average daily cost in Diani 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 Jinja and Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinja $44Diani $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinja $88Diani $48
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Jinja or Diani? 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: Jinja Hotel Prices and Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinja $22Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $63
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinja or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani 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
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Food Meals for one dayJinja $28Diani $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinja $29Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Jinja
Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 18 Days African Jungle Safari Tour: $9,433
- 3days jinja and sipi falls tour: $800
- David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
- 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
- Three days source of the nile & sipi falls tour: $760
- Uganda: 4 Day Jinja City Tour Uganda: $1,655
- White Water Rafting & Source of the Nile Adventure: $760
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $22
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $25
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $30
- Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
- Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
- Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49
- Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $57
- Wasini island: Marine Park, Dolphin Watch & Village Tour: $100
- Full Day Shimba hills tour with Shifoga nature trail: $120
- 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinja $13Diani $9.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Diani
Also in Diani, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinja and Diani, we can see that Jinja is more expensive. And not only is Diani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diani 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 Diani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinja Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.
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.