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

Should you visit Kampala or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Kampala or Sydney? 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Kampala?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $69, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $278. 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 Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampala $59
    Sydney $104
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampala $118
    Sydney $208
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Kampala or Sydney? 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 Sydney


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 Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampala $2.48
    Sydney $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala

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


  • Taxi around town
    $3.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:

  • Entebbe Airport Transfers: $80
  • Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
  • From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
  • Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
  • Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $128

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $165
  • Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $295
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Business Car: $103
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Luxury Van: $114
  • Airport transfers and shuttle bus - home/hotels: $198
  • Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $98
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $103
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $103
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $114
  • Family Sydney Airport Departure Transfer: $86
  • From Sydney Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Sydney: $67
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $195

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $8.36
    Sydney $45
Typical Food Prices in Kampala

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


  • Lunch for 2
    $1.59

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
  • Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
  • Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $75
  • Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
  • Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
  • Half-day Kampala City Tour and Traditional Dance Show with Dinner (7-Hours): $147
  • Kampala food tour: $205

Typical Food Prices in Sydney

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


  • Tea
    $2.64
  • Lunch Special
    $9.91
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.91
  • Meat Pies
    $3.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
  • Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
  • Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
  • Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
  • Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise (1.5 hour): $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampala -
    Sydney $32

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
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
  • Kampala:Guided walking tour: $25
  • Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
  • Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26
  • Steve Kampala Walking tours: $27
  • Safe Motorbike Tour in Kampala (Boda Boda Tour): $30
  • Kampala Guided walking Tour: $30
  • Free Female Guided Walking Tours Kampala (3 Hours): $30
  • Inside Kampala walking tour (Female guided): $32
  • Running City Tour of Kampala at Dawn (7 KMs | Sundays): $33

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $30
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $126
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.94

Tours and Activities in Sydney

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

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.15
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
  • Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $17
  • Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampala -
    Sydney $15

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $21
  • Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $30
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $122
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $145
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $149


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kampala and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Kampala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kampala is in Africa and Sydney is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kampala or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Kampala and Sydney, 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.