Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Hermanus?
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 Hermanus. 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 Hermanus?
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.
Hermanus
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $65Hermanus $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $65, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $67. 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 Hermanus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $27Hermanus $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $54Hermanus $50
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Hermanus
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Hermanus? 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 Hermanus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Hermanus $8.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $20
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Mombasa Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $33
- Private Luxury Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport: $33
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Nyali, Bamburi & Shanzu: $33
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Nyali/Bamburi: $37
- Mombasa Town: Private Airport Transfer to Hotel and AirBnB: $40
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $44
- Private One-Way Mombasa Airport Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Hermanus?
Prices for flights to both Hermanus 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 $24Hermanus $38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Hermanus -
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Holy Ghost Cathedral (1914) entry and guided tour: $10
- Mombasa walking tour: $16
- Mombasa walking tour: $20
- 2 hour Authentic Cultual Experience: $25
- Mombasa:Street food Experience: $27
- Mombasa Fun and hidden Gems tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $30
- Private Canoe Tour to Experience the Gorgeous Kongo River Estuary: $30
- Mombasa Old Town Walking Tour: $30
- Mombasa City Tour,Fortjesus,Oldtown,Tusks and Spice Market.: $35
- Mombasa City: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
- Mombasa City Half Day Walking Tour And Street Food Tasting.: $39
Tours and Activities in Hermanus
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $268
- Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $73
- Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $69
- Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $71
- Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $134
- Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.99Hermanus -
Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus
Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $24
- Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $80
- Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $146
- Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $162
When comparing the travel costs between Mombasa and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Hermanus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Hermanus?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Hermanus, 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 Hermanus?
Hermanus 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 Hermanus in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Hermanus. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Hermanus in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Hermanus fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hermanus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Hermanusin January. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hermanus receives 338 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Hermanusin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Hermanus 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hermanus in the Autumn?
Both Hermanus and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
In the autumn, Mombasa is a little warmer than Hermanus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Hermanus averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Hermanus. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Hermanus during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Hermanus receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Hermanusin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Hermanus 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hermanus in the Winter?
Both Hermanus and Mombasa during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Hermanusin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Hermanus fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Hermanusin July. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hermanus receives 193 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Hermanusin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hermanus 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hermanus in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Hermanus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
Mombasa is much warmer than Hermanus in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Hermanus fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hermanus this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Hermanus during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Hermanus receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Hermanusin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hermanus receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hermanus 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hermanus and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Hermanus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 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.