Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Rabat?
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 Rabat. 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
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 Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $64Rabat $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $64, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $45. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Rabat $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Rabat $56
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Rabat? 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 Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Rabat $2.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $136
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $109
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $91
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Vipingo and Kilifi: $89
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $77
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $77
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $76
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $76
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Tangier: $150
- Transfer Rabat to Safi: $171
- Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $23
- Transfer Rabat to Mohammedia: $62
- Transfer Rabat to Marrakech: $200
- Transfer Rabat to Kenitra: $53
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $119
- Transfer Rabat to El Jadida: $120
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $237
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $276
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $191
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 $24Rabat $13
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
- Fort Jesus Sound and Light Show Tour With Dinner.: $47
- Fort Jesus Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $48
- Swahili food Cooking Class Experience: $48
- Momobasa: Food tour,Swahili culture,spice market experience: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $51
- cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs : $67
- Walking Food Tour: $76
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $77
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $78
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $82
- Night Tour River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner: $99
- Rabat Night Tour with River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner : $100
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Rabat $2.94
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour : $150
- 2 Days adventure from Mombasa to Ngutuni Game sanctuary.: $460
- 3 Hour Real Kenya Tour with a Local Guide: $40
- Aquatic experiences at the coastal of Mombasa-Nyali.: $90
- Day Tour To Mombasa: $145
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $268
- Day tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $239
- Diani Beach: Share A Meal With Giraffes & Feeding Experience: $47
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $33
- Discover Kenya's Coast with Explore Elegance Travel & Tours: $210
- Dolphin tour and snorkeling in kisite marine park / wasini island: $70
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- private Tour between the monuments of Rabat City : $45
- 9-Day Moroccan Adventure: Imperial Cities to Atlas Mountains: $1,995
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Exclusive Luxe Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $73
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- From Casablanca: 15-Day Guided Tour of Morocco: $2,080
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,996
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $107
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $747
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $109
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,448
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.85Rabat -
Sample the Local Flavors in Mombasa
Also in Mombasa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Coastal Pub Crawl - Bamburi Drunk Tour: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Rabat, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Rabat, 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 Rabat?
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 Rabat in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Rabat. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Rabat. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun in the summer.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Rabat in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Rabat. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Rabat. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Rabat. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Mombasa is a little warmer than Rabat. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Rabat averages at about 20°C (67°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat 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 Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Rabat. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Rabat during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat 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 Rabat year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Rabat. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is much warmer than Rabat in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 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.