Which place is cheaper, Wellington 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 Wellington?
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 Wellington. 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesWellington Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Wellington $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $124. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Wellington $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 Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
- WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
- Wellington to Wellington Airport(WLG)-Departure Private Transfer: $78
- Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $155
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $105
- Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $105
- Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
- Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $74
- Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $41Wellington $51
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
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125
- Capital Bites, A food tour of Wellington: $134
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Animals of Aotearoa Wellington Zoo Tour: $53
- Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
- Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
- Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour : $53
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $108
- From Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour: $289
- From Martinborough Winery Tour: $111
- From Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Tour: $127
- Full Day Guided Wellington Tour including Cable Car: $149
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $176
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $176
- Full Day Wellington Tour - Including maoritanga: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Beer & Brewery Half-Day Tour: $98
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
- From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
- Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $208
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Wellington?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington 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, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Wellington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Wellington in the Autumn?
Both Wellington 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, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Mombasa is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.
Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Wellington in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Wellington. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.
Mombasa is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.