A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampala vs. Antsiranana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kampala or Antsiranana?

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

Should I visit Kampala or Antsiranana? 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 Antsiranana?

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.

Antsiranana

Antsiranana is the capital of Madagascar's northernmost province, Diana, and until 1975 it was known as Diego Suarez. The city has a port that has become a site for naval repairs and is the largest in the entire Indian Ocean. The port is mainly used for tinned fish and bottled drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The city has a population of a little over 100,000. The French used the city as a military base after independence from 1960 until 1973, after the socialist revolution.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best Adventure Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar.


Which place is cheaper, Antsiranana or Kampala?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $71, while the average daily cost in Antsiranana is $88. 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 Antsiranana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampala $60
    Antsiranana $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampala $120
    Antsiranana $84
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Antsiranana

Looking for a hotel in Kampala or Antsiranana? 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 Kampala


Hotels in Antsiranana


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampala $2.54
    Antsiranana $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:


  • Taxi around town
    $4.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:

  • Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $130
  • Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $130
  • Kampala Entebbe Airport Transfer: $45
  • Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
  • From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
  • From Entebbe: 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari with Transfers: $1,850
  • Entebbe Airport pickup (Entebbe - Kampala) reliable 24/7 transfer: $48
  • Entebbe Airport Transfers: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Antsiranana?

Prices for flights to both Antsiranana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kampala $8.55
    Antsiranana $34
Typical Food Prices in Kampala

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:


  • Lunch for 2
    $1.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala

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

  • Kampala Food Tour (KWT): $26
  • Like a local cooking Tours: $26
  • Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala: $31
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampala -
    Antsiranana $18

Tours and Activities in Kampala

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

  • Discover the Magic of Uganda's Equator on a 1-Day Tour: $136
  • Equator Tour: $100
  • 1 -One Day Jinja Source of River Nile Tour Experience : $150
  • 1 Day Best Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Birding Tour, Lake Victoria: $129
  • 1 Day Jinja tour special with Lunch: $170
  • 1 Day Kampala City Tour: $150
  • 1 Day Kampala City Tour: $120
  • 1 Day Kampala city tour: $162
  • 1 Day Ngamba Island chimpanzee tour: $290
  • 1 Day Uganda Cultural & Farm Experience: $500
  • 1 day Jinja Day trip and Source of R. Nile tour: $261
  • 1 day Mabamba (Shoebill) bird watching tour - Shoebill & canoe tour: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampala -
    Antsiranana $9.79

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

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


Which is Bigger, Kampala or Antsiranana?

Kampala has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Antsiranana. When comparing the sizes of Kampala and Antsiranana, 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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