Which place is cheaper, Bruges 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 Bruges?
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 Bruges. 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 Bruges?
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.
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesBruges Prices
Belgium Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Bruges $187
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Bruges is $187. 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 Bruges in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Bruges $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Bruges $138
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Bruges
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Bruges? 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 Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Bruges $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Mombasa Moi Int Airport Transfer: $160
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $112
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $93
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $79
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $57
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
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Five Day Bus Pass$17
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Bike Rental for Day$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- PrivateTransfer from Zeebrugge Port to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST): $233
- Private transfer from Bruges to Brussels, 2h Stop in Ghent: $210
- Private direct transfer from Cruise Port Zeebrugge to Brussels: $187
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to The Hague: $286
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Brussels: $150
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $257
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Brussels hotels: $239
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels: $73
- Private Transfer from Ostend Bruges Airport OST to Zeebrugge Port: $233
- Private Transfer from Bruges to Brussels By Business car: $162
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $73
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Bruges?
Prices for flights to both Bruges 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 $41Bruges $103
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
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $135
Typical Food Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
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Cup of Tea$2.32
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Sandwich for Lunch$3.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bruges Food Tour : Beer, Chocolate, Waffles & Fries in German: $128
- Bruges Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $150
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour: $157
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $162
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Bruges $18
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
- City Tour with Ghalib: $75
- Day Tour Experience to Tsavo East National Park: $190
- Day Tour To Shimba Hill Reserve From Mombasa: $270
- Day Tour To Shimba Hills Park from Mombasa: $264
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest Guided Tour: $75
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Elky Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour: $180
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $144
- Full Day Group Joining Tour in Mombasa from Kilindini Harbour: $139
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa: $107
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Groeninge Museum Entrance$9.28
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- "Edges of Brugge" Photo Tour - 2hr open city tour & workshop: $93
- "Essential Brugge" Photo Tour - 3hr private city tour & workshop: $292
- "Hidden Brugge" Photo Tour - 2hr open city tour & workshop: $93
- "Shades of Brugge" Photo Tour - 3hr private city tour & workshop: $292
- 2-Hour Bruges Walking Tour with Chocolate Tasting: $3.49
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included: $3.50
- 6 Hour Bruges Shore Excursion from Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $79
- BRYGGJA ROMANTICA - 3 Hour Romantic Tour in Bruges: $52
- Best Bruges Cruise-Friendly Tour including Canal Boat Ride: $64
- Best Bruges Shore Excursion from Your Ship with Canal Cruise: $73
- Best Bruges Shore Excursion including Deluxe Canal Cruise: $77
- BikeTour Bruges & Damme in Spanish and English: $205
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Bruges $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Bruges
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bruges:
- Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery and Distillery Visit: $19
- Bruges Brewery & Distillery – Discover at Your Own Pace: $19
- Bruges Brewery & Distillery - Discover & Taste on your own pace: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Bruges, we can see that Bruges 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 Bruges 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 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Bruges?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Bruges, 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 Bruges?
Bruges has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or Bruges in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Bruges. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.
In the summer, Mombasa is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Bruges. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Bruges 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bruges in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Bruges. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Bruges. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Bruges 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bruges in the Winter?
Both Bruges and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. Mombasa is much warmer than Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Bruges. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Bruges 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Bruges in the Spring?
Both Bruges and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Mombasa is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Bruges. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Bruges 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Bruges and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Bruges | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.