Which place is cheaper, Addis Ababa or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Addis Ababa?
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 Mombasa and Addis Ababa. 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: Mombasa or Addis Ababa?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesAddis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Addis Ababa $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Addis Ababa is $29. 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 Mombasa and Addis Ababa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Addis Ababa $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Addis Ababa $32
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Addis Ababa
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Addis Ababa? 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Addis Ababa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Addis Ababa $2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $113
- From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi: $75
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $42
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $75
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
- City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
- Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
- Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Addis Ababa?
Prices for flights to both Addis Ababa and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Addis Ababa $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Sultan's Spoon Mombasa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $71
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $136
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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Slice of Cake$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa
For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
- Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
- Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $70
- Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Addis Ababa $2.89
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Group tour to Tsavo East National Park with Buffet Lunch: $160
- 1 Day Malindi day Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $194
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour From Diani Beach: $98
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- City Tour with Ghalib: $76
- Day Tour To Shimba Hills Park from Mombasa: $264
- Day Wasini Private Boat Tour with Snorkeling And Seafood: $244
- Diani Beach Village Tour and Wildlife Park Day Trip: $218
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest Guided Tour: $75
- Fort Jesus & Mombasa Old Town Walking CityTour: $38
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $140
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- • Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure: $450
- • Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours: $1,775
- "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
- 14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours: $1,580
- 2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience: $300
- 2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch: $265
- 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
- 3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: $300
- 3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
- 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730
- 3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem: $288
- 3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.: $890
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Addis Ababa $2.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Addis Ababa, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Mombasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mombasa than you might in Addis Ababa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Addis Ababa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Addis Ababa?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Addis Ababa, 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.