Which place is cheaper, Hofn 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 Hofn?
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 Hofn. 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 Hofn?
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.
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesHofn Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Hofn $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Hofn is $205. 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 Hofn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Hofn $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Hofn $224
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Hofn
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Hofn? 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 Hofn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Hofn $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Mombasa Moi Int Airport Transfer: $160
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $142
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hofn
Also for Hofn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Hofn Airport Hotel Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Hofn?
Prices for flights to both Hofn 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 $41Hofn $72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Hofn $20
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
- City Tour with Ghalib: $76
- 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
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $144
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa: $107
- Full Day Mombasa City Tour with a Local Guide: $130
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Blue Ice Cave Exploration from Jökulsárlón (Small Group Tour): $257
- Crystal Ice Cave & Super Jeep Tour from Jökulsárlón: $176
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $145
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $238
- The Original Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Hofn $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Hofn, we can see that Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Hofn?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 470 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Hofn, 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 Hofn?
Hofn 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 Hofn in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Hofn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
Mombasa is much warmer than Hofn in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Hofn fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In July, Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hofn. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Hofn 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hofn in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Hofn. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In the autumn, Mombasa is much warmer than Hofn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Hofn averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Hofn. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Hofn 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hofn in the Winter?
Both Hofn and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the winter. In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Hofn. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Hofn fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Hofn. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hofn -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hofn in the Spring?
Both Hofn 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.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. Mombasa is much warmer than Hofn in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Hofn fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Hofn. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hofn 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Hofn and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Hofn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 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.