A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Masai Mara vs. Paris for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Masai Mara or Paris?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Masai Mara and Paris. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Masai Mara or Paris?

Masai Mara

Masai Mara National Reserve is a beautiful, scenic, nature reserve in southwest Kenya, just west of the capital city, Nairobi. The reserve belongs to the Masai people and was created in order to protect the land and the people and animals living on it. Masai Mara is considered to be one of the best reserves in all of Africa, offering the quintessential African safari experience.

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Paris or Masai Mara?

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

  • Masai Mara Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Paris Prices
    France Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Masai Mara $133
    Paris $308

The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $133, while the average daily cost in Paris is $308. 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 Masai Mara and Paris in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Masai Mara $37
    Paris $178
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Masai Mara $74
    Paris $356
Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Paris

Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Paris? 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 Masai Mara


Hotels in Paris


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: Masai Mara Hotel Prices and Paris Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Masai Mara $47
    Paris $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:

  • Nairobi Airport (NBO) Private Transfer to Nairobi City/Hotels: $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

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


  • Metro
    $7.43
  • Train from Airport
    $10
  • Metro tickets
    $7.89
  • Train
    $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

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

  • Private round trip transfer from/to Paris airports: $24
  • Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports DISNEYLAND: $24
  • Private round trip transfer from/to PARIS DISNEYLAND: $24
  • McArthurGlen Paris-Giverny Designer Outlet transfer from Paris: $34
  • Private One-Way Transfer: City of Paris: $38
  • Private Transfer Service in Paris – Select Your Route: $40
  • Private Transfer Arrival and Departure Orly Airport ORY: $44
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Paris Train Station to Hotel: $45
  • Paris CDG Airport Private Transfer to Paris City Center|Hotels: $45
  • Paris Private Airport Transfers - Comfort Cars: $47
  • Paris Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $48
  • Shuttle Arrival Transfer from Paris Airport to Hotel/ Apartment: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Paris?

Prices for flights to both Paris and Masai Mara 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
    Masai Mara $57
    Paris $84

Typical Food Prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    $9.28
  • Breakfast
    $8.12
  • Breakfast for 2
    $34
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    $100
  • Dinner
    $66
  • Cheese
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

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

  • Paris Marais Walking Food Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.24
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $65
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $67
  • Paris Seine River dinner cruise from Alexandre III bridge: $70
  • Paris Saint Germain Food Tour - Full French Meal by Do Eat Better: $75
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris: $77
  • Paris Vegan Street Food Tour: $77
  • Paris Food Tour: $81
  • Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $83
  • Paris Theo Boat Seine River Italian Trattoria Style Dinner Cruise: $85
  • 2 Hour Express Paris Centre Food Tour with 4 Tastings & Fine Wine: $88
  • Paris Food Tour: Eat Like a Local with Cheeses, Wines & Secrets: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Masai Mara $60
    Paris $88

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Masai Mara are as follows:

  • Amboseli N Park Day tour with optional Maasai village visit: $200
  • Amboseli national park full day tour: $160
  • Bomas of Kenya cultural Dance and Acrobatic Show Tour: $64
  • Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi Eating Experience with Transport: $145
  • Cultural Day Tour to Bomas of Kenya Nairobi: $51
  • David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Half-Day Tour in Nairobi: $55
  • Day Tour to Maasai Mara Reserve From Nairobi: $225
  • Day tour to Giraffe center and Karen Blixen Nairobi: $95
  • Giraffe Center Guided Tour from Nairobi: $65
  • Giraffe Center and David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Tour: $72
  • Guided "Matatu" Experience Half Day Tour Within Nairobi.: $60
  • Half Day Giraffe Center,Baby Elephant&Karen Blixxen Guided Tour: $70

Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    $21
  • Admission to Pantheon
    $5.80
  • Catacombs (2)
    $27

Tours and Activities in Paris

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.

  • Free Tour of the Historic Center of Paris in Spanish: $2.83
  • Paris - Latin Quarter Free Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.53
  • Free Perfume Museum & Opera District Tour (Tip-Based): $3.53
  • Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based): $3.53
  • Paris Hidden Gems: Self Guided Secret Spots Tour: $3.53
  • Montmartre Walking Tour: Artists & the Soul of Paris: $3.53
  • Paris Montmartre Free Walking Tour: $3.54
  • Paris Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.66
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Paris: $4.71
  • Paris Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour: $4.71
  • Central Paris Highlights Walking Tour: $4.72
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Masai Mara $26
    Paris $28

Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Paris Montmartre Cheese Charcuterie Wine Tasting with Audio Tour: $29
  • Paris Guided Pub Crawl with Bars Shots and Club Entry: $32
  • Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
  • Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise: $53
  • Wine tasting Paris Saint Germain des Pres: $55
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex: $70
  • Paris Wine Tasting & French Cheese Pairing with Sommelier: $81
  • Cheese & Wine Tasting in Montmartre with a Local Cheesemonger: $81
  • Paris Art of Pairing Cheese and Wine Tasting in a Cheese Cellar: $83
  • Wine Tasting In Paris: $88
  • Galeries Lafayette French Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $99
  • Paris Biking Tour with Wine Tasting in a Hidden Cellar: $100


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

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