Which place is cheaper, Florence 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 Florence?
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 Florence. 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 Florence?
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.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesFlorence Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Florence $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Florence is $211. 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 Florence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Florence $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Florence $204
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Florence
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Florence? 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 Florence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Florence $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City$9.39
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Taxi from Airport$29
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In City Parking (Full Day)$35
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Bus Pass (Full Day)$5.87
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Bus From Airport$5.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer: Peretola Airport (FLR) to Florence City Center: $88
- Transfer from Florence to Arezzo with a stop at The Mall Outlet: $180
- Transfer from Florence City Center to Peretola Airport (FLR): $70
- Transfer Florence - Bologna with stop at the Barberino Outlet: $156
- Taste of Tuscany San Gimignano Winery with Transfer from Florence: $228
- Private transfer Florence Peretola Airport from or to Siena City : $224
- Private transfer Florence Peretola Airport from or to Pisa City: $273
- Private transfer Florence Airport / Hotel Florence: $144
- Private transfer: $282
- Private direct transfer:Florence to Pisa, English speaking driver: $180
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Florence (hotel OR airport pick-up): $118
- Private Transfer from SMN Train Station to Florence: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Florence?
Prices for flights to both Florence 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 $41Florence $73
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 Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich$7.63
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $35
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Food Tour of Traditional Eateries and Wine Pairings: $36
- Street Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Expert Guide in 2.5 hours : $46
- Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence: $48
- Florence Street Food Tour and sightseeing with Central Market: $51
- Florence's Food Tour with Authentic Local Tastigs and Sightseeing: $51
- Florence Street Food Tour with Walking Sightseeing and Local Guide: $51
- Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $53
- Hands-On Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class: $53
- Cooking Class in Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Making Unlimited Wine: $54
- Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Florence $35
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi$13
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi$4.69
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Firenze Card (for Two)$117
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)$23
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee$7.04
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee$8.21
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- Accademia Gallery Skip the line Tickets : $41
- Best of Florence walking tour & Accademia Gallery- monolingual small group tour: $76
- Medici Walking Tour -Small Group : $35
- Uffizi & Accademia Highlights: Skip The Line Combo Guided Tour: $108
- 1-Hour Mythological Tour in Piazza della Signoria: Experience for Children: $54
- 2-Hours Walking Tour in Florence: $180
- 3 Hours Private Tour with Personal Photographer in Florence: $167
- 3-Hour Private Photographic Tour in Chianti and Val d'Orcia Florence: $60
- 4 Wines & 2 Olive Oils Tasting in Chianti Winery with Tour : $42
- 4-hour Accademia and Uffizi Small-group Guided Tour: $167
- A Food Lover Tour in Florence: $101
- Academia Gallery Skip-the-Line Priority Entrance Tickets: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Florence $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti$4.93
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Bottle of Wine$8.80
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $18
- Winery tour and wine tasting of organic Chianti wines and extra virgin oil: $24
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $25
- Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $27
- Wine Tasting Experience near Florence: $30
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $36
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in the heart of Tuscany: $36
- Wine Tasting in an Authentic Tuscan Cellar in Radda in Chianti: $38
- Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti: $42
- Chianti Half Day Wine Tour from Florence: $42
- Wine Tasting of Brunello with Tuscan Cold Cuts and Cheese: $47
- Winery tour & wine tasting in Montalcino: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Florence?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Florence, 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 Florence?
Florence 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 Florence in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Florence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Florence in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Florence this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Florence during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Florence. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Florence 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Florence in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Florence. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Florence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Mombasa is much warmer than Florence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Florence averages at about 16°C (61°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 Florence. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Florence. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Florence 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Florence in the Winter?
Both Florence 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Florence during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Florence. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Florence 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Florence in the Spring?
Both Florence 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Florence for the natural beauty.
Mombasa is much warmer than Florence in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Florence. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Florence. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Florence 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Florence and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Florence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 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.