Which place is cheaper, Sydney 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 Sydney?
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 Sydney. 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Sydney $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Sydney $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Sydney $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $27
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $250
- SYD Airport to Sydney City Centre Private Transfer: $37
- Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
- Private Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $59
- Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $362
- Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD (Chauffeur Driven): $132
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40
- Sydney's Best Airport Arrival Transfers - Airport to CBD : $84
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $41Sydney $77
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.62
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Lunch Special$9.81
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.81
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Meat Pies$3.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $49
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $49
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
- Fish Market Food Tour: $63
- Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
- Kids Cooking Classes: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Sydney $31
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
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $35
- Mombasa City Tour : $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $42
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Half-Day Scenic Bike Tour: $48
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $50
- Walking Tour Through Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus: $50
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$29
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$125
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Powerhouse Museum$9.85
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sunrise Serenity Kayak Tour of Sydney Harbour: $104
- #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Adventure: $113
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $117
- 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
- 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,597
- 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $99
- 3 Hours Elvis Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $53
- 30 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Tour: $237
- 45-Minute Sydney Harbour Adventure Jet Boat Ride: $66
- 45-Minute Vivid Sydney Scenic Jet Boat Cruise Tour: $40
- Afternoon Discovery Cruise on Coral Trekker: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $111
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- Meet the Makers Sydney Native Food & Distillery Tour: $132
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $144
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
Both Sydney and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin January. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun.
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Sydneyin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Sydneyin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Sydney in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Sydney. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
Mombasa is much warmer than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Sydneyin July. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Sydneyin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Mombasa is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Sydneyin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.