Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth. 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 Port Elizabeth?
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.
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, and The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $65Port Elizabeth $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $65, while the average daily cost in Port Elizabeth is $44. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $27Port Elizabeth $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $54Port Elizabeth $46
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Port Elizabeth
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Port Elizabeth $9.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $20
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Mombasa Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $33
- Private Luxury Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport: $33
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Nyali, Bamburi & Shanzu: $33
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Nyali/Bamburi: $37
- Mombasa Town: Private Airport Transfer to Hotel and AirBnB: $40
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $44
- Private One-Way Mombasa Airport Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Port Elizabeth?
Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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 $24Port Elizabeth $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $45
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Fort Jesus Mombasa Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $46
- Dhow Cruise Tour And Dinner Or Lunch Tours.: $51
- Experience Swahili Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local Host.: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Port Elizabeth $9.37
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Holy Ghost Cathedral (1914) entry and guided tour: $10
- Mombasa walking tour: $16
- Mombasa walking tour: $20
- 2 hour Authentic Cultual Experience: $25
- Mombasa:Street food Experience: $27
- Mombasa Fun and hidden Gems tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $30
- Private Canoe Tour to Experience the Gorgeous Kongo River Estuary: $30
- Mombasa Old Town Walking Tour: $30
- Mombasa City Tour,Fortjesus,Oldtown,Tusks and Spice Market.: $35
- Mombasa City: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
- Mombasa City Half Day Walking Tour And Street Food Tasting.: $39
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,493
- Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $180
- From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $349
- Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $45
- Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $72
- Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $144
- Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $131
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.99Port Elizabeth $2.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Port Elizabeth, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Port Elizabeth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port Elizabeth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Port Elizabeth Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Port Elizabeth, 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 Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Port Elizabeth. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Port Elizabeth in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port Elizabeth. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Port Elizabethin January. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port Elizabeth receives 266 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Port Elizabethin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Port Elizabeth 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Port Elizabeth in the Autumn?
Both Port Elizabeth and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
In the autumn, Mombasa is a little warmer than Port Elizabeth. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Port Elizabeth averages at about 19°C (66°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Port Elizabeth. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Port Elizabeth during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Port Elizabeth receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Port Elizabethin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Port Elizabeth 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Port Elizabeth in the Winter?
Both Port Elizabeth 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.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Port Elizabethin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In Port Elizabeth, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Port Elizabethin July. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port Elizabeth receives 228 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Port Elizabethin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Port Elizabeth 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Port Elizabeth in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Port Elizabeth. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
Mombasa is much warmer than Port Elizabeth in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port Elizabeth this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Port Elizabeth during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Port Elizabeth receives 236 hours of full sun in the spring.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Port Elizabethin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Port Elizabeth 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Port Elizabeth and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Port Elizabeth | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 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.