Which place is cheaper, Petra 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 Petra?
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 Petra. 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 Petra?
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.
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesPetra Prices
Jordan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Petra $153
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Petra is $153. 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 Petra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Petra $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Petra $118
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Petra
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Petra? 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 Petra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Petra $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $37
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $58
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
- Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $94
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
- From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
- Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Petra?
Prices for flights to both Petra 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 $41Petra $66
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
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $71
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Petra $47
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Kongo River Sunset Experience in Canoe: $32
- Mombasa walking tour: $35
- Mombasa old town Walking Tour and Fort Jesus: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $40
- Quasar Tours and Safaris: $40
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- Exclusive Golden Hour Sunrise Tour in Petra: $150
- From Petra : Wadi Rum Private 8 - hours roundtrip tour .: $190
- Half-Day Private Indiana Jones Petra Back Road Trial Tour: $165
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour | Guide Sami Nawafleh: $225
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- Petra Highlights Guided Golf Cart Tour with Hotel Pickup: $169
- Private 2-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $210
- Private 3-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Petra $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Petra, we can see that Petra 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 Petra is in Middle East, 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Petra?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Petra, 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 Petra?
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 Petra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Petra. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Petra. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Petra receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Petra. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Petra receives 384 hours of full sun.
Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Mombasa is cooler than Petra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Petra averages at about 33°C (91°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Petra 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Petra in the Autumn?
Both Petra 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 Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Petra. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Petra receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Petra. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Petra during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Petra receives 295 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Petra. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Petra fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Petra 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Petra in the Winter?
Both Petra 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 Petra year-round.
Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Petra. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Petra receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Petra. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Petra receives 234 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is much warmer than Petra in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Petra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Petra 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Petra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Petra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Petra 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 Petra. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Petra receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Petra during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Petra receives 282 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Petra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Petra averages at about 25°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Petra 25°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Petra and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Petra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.