Which place is cheaper, Cairns 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 Cairns?
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 Cairns. 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Cairns $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $126. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Cairns $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Cairns $94
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Cairns? 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 Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Cairns $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers: $129
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Between Cairns and Port Douglas: $94
- Shared Shuttle Return Transfers (ex Cairns) Transfers Only: $70
- Private Transfers in Cairns and Port Douglas: $189
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $104
- Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $159
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $82
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer From Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns City Hotels: $82
- Private Transfer - Cairns Airport to/from Port Douglas: $219
- Private Transfer - Cairns Airport to/from Palm Cove: $146
- Private Transfer - Cairns Airport to/from Cairns CBD: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $41Cairns $53
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
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $105
- Night at the Aquarium Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $110
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour and 3 Course Dinner: $144
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Cairns $41
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 Wasini Dolphin Tour From Diani Beach: $110
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- Day Tour To Shimba Hill Reserve From Mombasa: $270
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Elky Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour: $180
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $40
- Fort Jesus and Mombasa Old Town City Tour: $80
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $144
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa: $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$39
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Day Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda Scenic Train & Skyrail Tour: $276
- 2-Day Daintree & Outback Tour from Cairns & Port Douglas: $261
- 2-Day Paronella Park & Tablelands Tour+Cape Tribulation Tour: $324
- 2-Day Waterfall and Daintree Tour: $191
- 30 min Jetski Tour Cairns: $80
- Afternoon & Evening Tour of Paronella Park: $188
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour: $65
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour: $65
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $112
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Cairns $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $47
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
- Adventure &Taste Atherton Tablelands Food & Wine Tour from Cairns: $192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Cairns?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Cairns, 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 Cairns?
Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Mombasa is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Cairns. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.