A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mombasa vs. Tampere for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mombasa or Tampere?

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 Tampere. 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 Tampere?

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

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 Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Tampere, we can see that Tampere 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 Tampere is in Europe, 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Tampere?

Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Tampere, 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 Tampere?

Tampere 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 Tampere in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Tampere. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.

Mombasa is a little warmer than Tampere in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampere this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Tampere during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampere. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mombasa or Tampere in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Tampere. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Mombasa is much warmer than Tampere. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Tampere averages at about 5°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Tampere. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 81 hours of full sun.

Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Tampere. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mombasa or Tampere in the Winter?

Both Tampere and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.

The weather in Tampere can be very cold. In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Tampere fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Tampere during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 37 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Tampere. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mombasa or Tampere in the Spring?

Both Tampere 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.

It's quite cold in Tampere in the spring. Mombasa is much warmer than Tampere in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Tampere. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 174 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Tampere. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tampere and Mombasa