Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Kampala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kampala or Antananarivo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kampala or Antananarivo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kampala or Antananarivo?
Kampala
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
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 Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKampala $70Antananarivo $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $70, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $70. 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 Kampala and Antananarivo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKampala $60Antananarivo $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKampala $120Antananarivo $58
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Antananarivo
Looking for a hotel in Kampala 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.
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: Kampala Hotel Prices and Antananarivo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kampala $2.52Antananarivo $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$4.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
- Kampala Entebbe Airport Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $132
- Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $132
- Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
- From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:
- Madagascar: Airport Ivato transfer to hotel: $33
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $68
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Antananarivo?
Prices for flights to both Antananarivo and Kampala 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 dayKampala $8.49Antananarivo $28
Typical Food Prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Like a local cooking Tours: $26
- Kampala Food Tour (KWT): $26
- Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
- Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Cooking Class Tour Kampala.: $60
- Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $75
- Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
- Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
- Kampala cooking tour: $133
- uganda fun time (bed,breakfast, lunch and dinner ) : $154
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.
- Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245
- Private City and food tour in Antananarivo: $500
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kampala -Antananarivo $23
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Uganda Community Tour: $15
- African Fabric Market Tour : $18
- Amazing Tour Experience with a local: $20
- Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $20
- Best Kampala group Walking Tour.: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Kampala: $22
- Walk and tour inside Kampala: $24
- 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
- Kampala Heart of Walking Adventure : $25
- Walk and tour inside Kampala: $25
- Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
- Kampala:Guided walking tour: $25
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: $24
- Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
- Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
- Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $65
- Private Ambohimanga and Ironwork Shop Tour from Antananarivo: $89
- Madagascar: Customizable Tour with Car Rental: $111
- Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $141
- Day - Tour Ampefy: $150
- Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
- Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $209
- Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKampala -Antananarivo $9.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Kampala
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:
- Entebbe and club,pub and bar crawl experiences: $35
- Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $65
- Kampala Bar Crawl, Beer Tasting and Street Food (6 Hours): $71
When comparing the travel costs between Kampala and Antananarivo, we can see that Kampala is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kampala Expensive? and Is Antananarivo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kampala or Antananarivo?
Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Kampala 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.
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.