Which place is cheaper, Bangkok 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 Bangkok?
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 Bangkok. 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 Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Bangkok $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $105. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Bangkok $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Bangkok $100
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Bangkok? 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 Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Bangkok $6.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.51
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Skytrain Ticket$5.02
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$1.00
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Ferry Ride$0.82
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Taxi From Airport$7.85
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Short Taxi Ride$2.83
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Boat Taxi$1.57
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Trains to airport$5.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Tuk-tuk tour Bangkok by Night with Chinatown meal and hotel transfers: $63
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya APT-HTL (BKK): $59
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $20
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Koh Chang: $148
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $34
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park: $84
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to DMK Donmuang Airport: $34
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Ayuttaya: $51
- Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok City: $30
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $19
- Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya 24 hour Private Airport Transfer Service: $79
- Suvarnabhumi Airport to Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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 $41Bangkok $36
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
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.28
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.41
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.94
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.28
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Pad Thai$2.20
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $22
- Viva Alangka Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $24
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $27
- Meridian Sunset Cruise Dinner Buffet from Bangkok: $28
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $28
- Royal Princess Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise from Bangkok: $31
- Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $31
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $31
- Luxury Riverside Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River Bangkok: $33
- Scenic Bangkok Unicorn Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River: $33
- White Lotus Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok: $35
- Smile Riverside Cruise Luxury Buffet Dinner from Bangkok: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Bangkok $18
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $35
- Mombasa City Tour : $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $42
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Half-Day Scenic Bike Tour: $48
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $50
- Walking Tour Through Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus: $50
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$5.02
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.57
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.28
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$75
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Fish Pedicure$4.71
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.14
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Siriraj Museum (2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $123
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Group Tour from Bangkok: $65
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Tour Group Tour from Bangkok: $55
- Bangkok Hindu Landmark Tour with Grand Palace, Temples & Lunch: $166
- Damnoen Floating Market & Optional Erawan Water Waterfall Tour: $105
- Maeklong Railway & Floating Market Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $159
- Private Customized Bangkok Tour With Driver : $57
- Private Half-Day Bangkok City Tour explore The Grand Palace: $144
- 10 Hours Private Tour Ayuttaya: $130
- 12-Hour Private Tour: Top Pattaya Attractions & Beach : $139
- 2 Days Pattaya Sunset Boat Party Tour: $142
- 2 Hour Electric Tuk Tuk Cultural Tour of Bangkok: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Bangkok $5.65
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- The Original Bangkok Pub Crawl: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Bangkok is in Asia, 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Bangkok, 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.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Bangkok?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Mombasa or Bangkok in the Summer?
Both Bangkok and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round.
Bangkok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Bangkok. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Bangkok. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 176 hours of full sun.
In July, Mombasa is generally cooler than Bangkok. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and Bangkok fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Bangkok 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bangkok in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Bangkok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Bangkok. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bangkok this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Bangkok during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Bangkok in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Bangkok fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Bangkok 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bangkok in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Bangkok. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. Mombasa usually gets more rain in January than Bangkok. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the winter, Mombasa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bangkok. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 276 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Bangkok. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Bangkok averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Bangkok 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bangkok in the Spring?
Both Bangkok and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Bangkok is May to October. It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Bangkok. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Bangkok. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Bangkok during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mombasa is generally cooler than Bangkok. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Bangkok fluctuates around 31°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Bangkok 31°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Bangkok and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Bangkok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.