Which place is cheaper, Hue 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 Hue?
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 Hue. 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 Hue?
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.
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesHue Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Hue $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Hue 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 Hue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Hue $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Hue $44
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Hue
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Hue? 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 Hue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Hue $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $34
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $34
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $56
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $56
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $56
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi: $75
- From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
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Cyclo$0.46
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Short Taxi Ride$0.85
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Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Transfer from Hue to Hoi An by Motorbike: $67
- Transfer from Hue to Da Nang or Hoi An via Bach Ma National Park: $81
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $6.81
- Transfer Hue to Dn/Hoi An via Hai Van & Springs (or Vice Versa): $55
- Transfer Hue city to Da Nang by limousine: $19
- Roundtrip Transfer to Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge via Hai Van Pass from Hue City: $85
- Rental of a Scooter from Hue to Hoi An with Bag Transfer: $30
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer-Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $14
- Private transfer from Hue to Hoi An with fabulous stops: $125
- Private transfer between Hue - Hoi An: with stop at Hai Van Pass: $66
- Private car transfer from Hue to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass.: $60
- Private car transfer from Hue to Da nang or Hoi An via Hai van Pass: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Hue?
Prices for flights to both Hue 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 $41Hue $25
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 Street Food Tour: $55
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $133
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
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River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.70
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Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.77
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Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.12
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- VIP Dragon Boat Dinner Cruise on the Perfume River: $18
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Hue City: Cyclo, Market Tour & Cooking Class at Madam Thu: $27
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $31
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Guided Local Food Tour with Tastings: $33
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Home Cooking Class with Local Chef and Lunch / Dinner: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Hue $11
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided tour in Fort Jesus,Mombasa old town,spice market with Dido: $20
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Elky Diani Glass Bottom Tour to Robinson Island: $35
- Fort Jesus & Mombasa Old Town Walking CityTour: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $45
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Private Walking Tour in Old Town: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
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Boat Ride$7.50
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.08
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Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.08
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Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.54
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- 12 Hours Experience Different Hue: $179
- 13 Days Private Tour Highlights of Cambodia & Vietnam: $4,980
- 2 Day Nature Tour in Tam Giang Lagoon & Bach Ma National Park: $245
- 2-Day Scenic Adventure from Hue to Phong Nha and Paradise Caves: $145
- 3 Hour Guided Sightseeing of Hue Imperial Palace: $27
- 3 Hours Hue Imperial Walking Tour with Guide: $30
- 3-Hours Hue Imperial Walking Tour with Guide: $25
- 3-day Hue city tour: $172
- A Glimpse of Hue Tour: $46
- All Inclusive Deluxe Hue City Group Tour: $75
- Authentic Hue Motorbike Tour by Locals: $25
- Bach Ma National Park Adventure Trekking Day Trip from Hue: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.80Hue $5.58
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
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Beer$0.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Hue, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Hue 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 Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Hue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Hue?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Hue, 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 Hue?
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 Hue in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Hue. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.
Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season. September to December in Hue is the rainy season. Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Hue. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hue receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Hue. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 242 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Mombasa is cooler than Hue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Hue averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Hue 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hue in the Autumn?
Both Hue and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Hue is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Hue. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Hue receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Hue during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Hue. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Hue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Hue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hue in the Winter?
Both Hue 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round.
March to August is the dry season in Hue. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Hue. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hue receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Hue. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 136 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Hue in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Hue fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hue 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hue in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Hue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Hue. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hue receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hue this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Hue during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Hue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Hue averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hue 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Hue and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Hue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.