Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise. 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Surfers Paradise $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $133. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Surfers Paradise $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Surfers Paradise $144
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Surfers Paradise $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Safe Private Airport Transfer in Mombasa: $19
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $42
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $113
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $41Surfers Paradise $49
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 Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $71
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $136
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Surfers Paradise $25
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 Malindi day Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $194
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour From Diani Beach: $98
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- City Tour with Ghalib: $76
- Day Tour To Shimba Hills Park from Mombasa: $264
- Day Wasini Private Boat Tour with Snorkeling And Seafood: $244
- Diani Beach Village Tour and Wildlife Park Day Trip: $218
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest Guided Tour: $75
- Fort Jesus & Mombasa Old Town Walking CityTour: $38
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $140
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$84
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bush Tucker and Crab Encounters Cruise: $65
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $68
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $90
- Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $142
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $78
- Gold Coast 30 Minute Jetski Tour in Surfers Paradise: $86
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $32
- Gold Coast Jet Boat Adventure: $57
- Gold Coast JetBlast Jet Boat Ride – 40-Minute Thrill Experience: $40
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $47
- Gold Coast: 1-Hour Jetski Tour from Surfers Paradise: $143
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Surfers Paradise $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:
- Tamborine Mountain Food & Wine Tour from the Gold Coast: $165
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Surfers Paradise?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
Both Surfers Paradise and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Surfers Paradisein April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
Mombasa is much warmer than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Surfers Paradise. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches.
In the spring, Mombasa is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the spring, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.