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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Jinja?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $115, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinja $45
    Diani $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinja $90
    Diani $46
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.

Hotels in Jinja


Hotels in Diani


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinja $22
    Diani $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

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

  • Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
  • From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $65
  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $68
  • Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jinja $50
    Diani $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani

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

  • Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Romantic Dinner With Transfer.: $38
  • Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
  • A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinja $29
    Diani $15

Tours and Activities in Jinja

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

  • 1 Day Jinja And Source Of The Nile River Tour(female Guided): $295
  • 1-DAY BEST JINJA & SOURCE OF RIVER NILE TOUR: $220
  • 2 days Jinja adventure with white water rafting and tubing: $200
  • David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
  • EPIC UGANDA SAFARI ADVENTURE | (2 Adults-1 Child Tier) 5-Day: $3,850
  • HIGH-OCTANE ADVENTURES—QUADBIKE, ZIPLINE, RIVER-RAFT & MORE: $2,750
  • Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
  • Jinja 2-Day Trip with boat cruise, Zip lining, Quad Bikes: $485
  • Full Day Tour with source of the Nile Boat Cruise: $175
  • Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
  • UGANDA HORSEBACK — SCENIC LANDSCAPES & ADVENTURES | 8-Days: $3,200
  • Uganda : 3-Day Jinja Adventure Holiday: $880

Tours and Activities in Diani

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

  • Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $10
  • Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $27
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
  • Mombasa Street Food: Authentic Culinary & Cultures Tour..: $29
  • Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $30
  • Samburu: Traditional Activities Experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
  • Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $39
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinja $13
    Diani $8.91


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?.