Which place is cheaper, Dahab or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Dahab?
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 Dahab. 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 Dahab?
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.
Dahab
Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.
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 Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $65Dahab $13
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $65, while the average daily cost in Dahab is $13. 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 Dahab in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $27Dahab $6.09
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $54Dahab $12
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Dahab
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Dahab? 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 Dahab Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Dahab $1.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Nyali/Bamburi: $37
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $33
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $73
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $20
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $73
- Private Transfer from Diani Beach Hotels to Moi Airport: $70
- Private One-Way Mombasa Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Luxury Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport: $33
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Mombasa Train Station Private Transfer to Kikambala/Vipingo: $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $38
- Private Transfer from Hotel in Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh Airport: $54
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $90
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 12: $220
- Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
- Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $260
- Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) Transfer: $71
- Dahab To/from Sharm El Sheikh Private Transfer : $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Dahab?
Prices for flights to both Dahab 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 $24Dahab $4.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $45
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Fort Jesus Mombasa Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $46
- Dhow Cruise Tour And Dinner Or Lunch Tours.: $51
- Experience Swahili Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local Host.: $80
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$2.00
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Juice$0.11
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Breakfast for Two$0.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $30
- Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
- Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $40
- Stargazer + Camel riding + Bedouin dinner from Dahab : $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Dahab $4.60
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $170
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $130
- Private Tour of Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa: $270
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $208
- 1 Day Malindi day Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $194
- Aquatic experiences at the coastal of Mombasa-Nyali.: $90
- Day Tour To Mombasa: $145
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa: $268
- Day tour to Tsavo east national park from Mombasa: $279
- Dolphin tour and snorkeling in kisite marine park / wasini island: $70
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $30
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $133
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Camel Trek Desert and Beach Experience Private Tour in Dahab: $45
- 2 Day Private Desert Experience in Sinai: $239
- 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $39
- Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
- Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Adventure in Dahab: $40
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $45
- Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $30
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $38
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.99Dahab $2.63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Dahab, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Dahab Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Dahab?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Dahab, 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.