A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mombasa vs. Nha Trang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mombasa or Nha Trang?

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 Nha Trang. 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 Nha Trang?

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.

Nha Trang

For the relaxation of a small beach town, plus the energy of a young city, consider Nha Trang, Vietnam. As the most famous seaside town in Vietnam, Nha Trang is certainly livelier than many other beach resort towns. Visiting this part of Vietnam is not for the faint of heart. These people know the meaning of nightlife - and make the night last as long as they can.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.


Which place is cheaper, Nha Trang or Mombasa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Nha Trang is $48. 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 Nha Trang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mombasa $26
    Nha Trang $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mombasa $52
    Nha Trang $26
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Nha Trang

Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Nha Trang? 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.

Hotels in Mombasa


Hotels in Nha Trang


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 Nha Trang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Nha Trang $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa

Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Mombasa Airport Transfers: $129
  • Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $80
  • From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
  • Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
  • Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $57
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $57
  • Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $42
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nha Trang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nha Trang:


  • Local Bus Ticket
    $0.11
  • Taxi From Airport
    $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Nha Trang?

Prices for flights to both Nha Trang 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 day
    Mombasa $41
    Nha Trang $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
  • Sultan's Spoon Mombasa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
  • Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
  • Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
  • Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
  • Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $136

Typical Food Prices in Nha Trang

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Nha Trang:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nha Trang

For Nha Trang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Crossing: Sunset Cruise Live Music, Buffet Dinner & DJ Party: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Nha Trang $9.06

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 Experience to Tsavo East National Park: $190
  • Day Tour To Shimba Hill Reserve From Mombasa: $270
  • Day Tour To Shimba Hills Park from Mombasa: $264
  • Diani Beach Village Tour and Wildlife Park Day Trip: $218
  • Elky Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour: $250
  • Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $140
  • Full Day Mombasa City Tour with a Local Guide: $130
  • Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162

Typical Entertainment Prices in Nha Trang

For Nha Trang, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Po Ngar Cham Entrance (for Two)
    $1.22
  • Two Rental Lounge Chairs on Beach
    $2.66
  • Vinpearl Land Amusement Park
    $17
  • Fairy Spring Waterfall Entrance
    $0.38
  • Thap Ba Mud Bath
    $3.80
  • Cyclo Tour of City (One Day)
    $9.51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mombasa $8.84
    Nha Trang $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Nha Trang, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Nha Trang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Nha Trang?

Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Nha Trang, 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 Nha Trang?

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 Nha Trang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Nha Trang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Nha Trang. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Mombasa is cooler than Nha Trang in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Nha Trang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mombasa 24°C (75°F) 
    Nha Trang 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Nha Trang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Nha Trang. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year.

September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Nha Trang. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Nha Trang. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Nha Trang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Nha Trang averages at about 26°C (79°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mombasa 26°C (79°F) 
    Nha Trang 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Nha Trang in the Winter?

Both Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August. In January, Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nha Trang. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Nha Trang. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Nha Trang fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mombasa 27°C (81°F) 
    Nha Trang 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Nha Trang in the Spring?

Both Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Nha Trang. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Mombasa is around the same temperature as Nha Trang in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Nha Trang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mombasa 27°C (81°F) 
    Nha Trang 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Nha Trang and Mombasa

Mombasa Nha Trang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 260 mm (10.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 240 mm (9.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)