Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mombasa or Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao. 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 Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
-
Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Koh Tao $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $49. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Koh Tao $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Koh Tao $9.76
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
-
Motorbike Rental$5.83
-
Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Tao
Also for Koh Tao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Koh Tao to Krabi High Speed Catamaran with Bus Transfer: $56
- Convenient Catamaran and Bus Transfer from Koh Tao to Krabi: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMombasa $41Koh Tao $18
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
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
-
Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.14
-
Breakfast$4.60
-
Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.68
-
Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
-
Pancake$2.15
-
American Breakfast (for Two)$8.60
-
Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $63
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao: $67
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $218
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $255
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Koh Tao $30
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.67
-
Snorkel Rental$3.07
-
Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.07
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $30
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $122
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $53
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $31
- Ko Tao: Ko Nangyuan & Hidden Bays Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $30
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $31
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan: $42
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat: $30
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $36
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $46
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Koh Tao $8.04
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
-
Beer$2.00
-
Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Koh Tao, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Koh Tao?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 580 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Koh Tao. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
October and November in Koh Tao is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June. In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.