Which place is cheaper, Hanoi 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 Hanoi?
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 Hanoi. 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 Hanoi?
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.
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesHanoi Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Hanoi $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $57. 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Hanoi $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Hanoi
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Hanoi? 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 Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Hanoi $6.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Airport – Kenya Coast Beach Hotel Transfers: $131
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $72
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $112
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $140
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $93
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.04
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Vietnam Easy Entry Visa On Arrival with Private Airport Transfer: $24
- VIP Sleeper Bus Hanoi to Ha Giang Transfer: $31
- VIP LUXURY Sapa 2D1N -TRANSFER BY LUX LIMOUSINE CAR (Stay at 5* hotel): $189
- Transfer to or from Sapa in a Sleeper Bus from Hanoi: $30
- Transfer Hanoi to Halong Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
- Top-Rated Luxury Halong Bay 2-Day Cruise Including Hanoi Transfer: $285
- The Best Sapa Tour 2D1N Stay At 3* Hotel -Transfer by Sleep BUS: $159
- The Best Sapa Tour 2D1N At 3 Star Hotel by sleeping BUS TRANSFER: $129
- The Best 2D1N HALONG BAY- All Inclusive,Overnight on Boat By Expressway Transfer: $136
- Small Group Halong Islands, Cave, Kayak. Seafood Lunch. Transfers: $138
- Shuttle Bus Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay: $18
- Sapa Trekking 2 Days 1 Night Transfer By Sleeper Bus: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Hanoi?
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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 $41Hanoi $23
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 Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.18
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.87
- Private Sapa Cooking Class With Ethnic Minorities Chef From Sapa: $1.87
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
- Walking food tour & Train Street visit small group: $18
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi Farm-to-Table Cooking Class with Village Cycling: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with egg coffee making: $20
- Hanoi Food Tour: Hidden Alleys, Tram Exhibit & Coffee Brewing: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Hanoi $8.10
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
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Kongo River Sunset Experience in Canoe: $32
- Mombasa walking tour: $35
- Elky Diani Glass Bottom Tour to Robinson Island: $35
- Mombasa old town Walking Tour and Fort Jesus: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $40
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.66
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (Best Selling) Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi: $55
- (HOT) Hanoi Guided Street Food and Train Street Tour with Local: $25
- (Private) Hanoi War Sites Tour: $5.13
- (Private) MUSEUM TOUR in HANOI: $5.13
- 07 Hours Explore Halong Bay on Pamela Luxury Cruises: $75
- 1 Day Dia Tang Phi Lai, Cay Thi Pagoda and Trang An Complex Tour: $122
- 1 Day Guided Tour to Ha Noi City: $48
- 1 Day Ha Long Bay Cruise with Titop Island and Luon Cave in Hanoi: $65
- 1 Day Halong and Lan Ha Bay Hera Luxury Day Cruise from Hanoi: $90
- 1 Day Luxury Day Tour in Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave: $54
- 1 Day Luxury Ninh Binh Tour Bai Dinh and Trang An Boat Trip: $58
- 1 Day Luxury Ninh Binh Tour with Many Options From Hanoi: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.82Hanoi $7.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hanoi Night Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Free Shots: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Hanoi, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Hanoi 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 Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Hanoi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Hanoi?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Hanoi, 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 Hanoi?
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 Hanoi in the Summer?
Both Hanoi 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 Hanoi year-round.
May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Hanoi. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Mombasa is cooler than Hanoi in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Hanoi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Hanoi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hanoi in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Hanoi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hanoi. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Hanoi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Hanoi averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Hanoi 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hanoi in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Hanoi. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in January than Hanoi. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hanoi 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hanoi in the Spring?
Both Hanoi 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 Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Hanoi. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Hanoi in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Hanoi fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hanoi 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Hanoi and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Hanoi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.