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

Should you visit Mombasa or Zagreb?

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 Zagreb. 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 Zagreb?

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.

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

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 from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Zagreb or Mombasa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is $102. 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 Zagreb in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mombasa $26
    Zagreb $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mombasa $52
    Zagreb $110
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Zagreb

Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Zagreb? 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.

Hotels in Mombasa


Hotels in Zagreb


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 Zagreb Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Zagreb $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa

Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
  • From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
  • Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $72
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $111
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $93
  • Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
  • Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
  • Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
  • Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
  • Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $70
  • Private Transfer to Plitvice Lakes National Park: $408
  • Direct bus Transfer from/to Split: $16
  • Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $11
  • Zagreb to Zagreb Airport (ZAG) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
  • Zagreb to Split: Personalized Transfer & Custom Day Trip!: $426
  • Zagreb to Rovinj: Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes Visit: $823
  • Zagreb to Rovinj private transfer or vice versa: $290
  • Zagreb to Ljubljana private transfer (or vice versa): $209
  • Zagreb airport private transfers: $35
  • Zagreb Private Roundtrip Transfer by Luxury Vehicle: $108
  • Zagreb Departure Private Transfers from Zagreb City to Zagreb Airport ZAG: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Zagreb?

Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mombasa $41
    Zagreb $33

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 Street Food Tour: $55
  • Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
  • Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70
  • Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $135

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.

  • Zagreb Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $83
  • Zagreb Food Tour: Local Dishes & City Stories: $92
  • Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
  • PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
  • Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Zagreb $13

Tours and Activities in Mombasa

For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $24
  • Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
  • Mombasa city tour: $30
  • Mombasa walking tour: $30
  • Elky Diani Glass Bottom Tour to Robinson Island: $35
  • Mombasa old town Walking Tour and Fort Jesus: $38
  • Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
  • Walking Tour Through Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus: $40
  • Mombasa City Tour: $40
  • Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
  • Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $40
  • Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45

Tours and Activities in Zagreb

Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • (120min) Zagreb All Around Tour-all of the Lower town/Upper town: $89
  • 2 hour Private Walking Tour of Zagreb: $64
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Zagreb: $70
  • 4 Day Private Istria Tour from Explore & Enjoy: $1,657
  • 4-hour Private Zagreb & the Mountain Tour in a Yugo car: $122
  • Advent in Zagreb - guided walking tour: $29
  • All of Zagreb Bike Tour: $73
  • Amazinga Entertainment Entry Ticket 3h: $38
  • Back to Yugoslavia Private City Tour in Old-Timer Yugo Car: $99
  • Best of Zagreb Walking Tour: $105
  • Best of Zagreb! Private Walking Tour; Meet the greats -Sit & Meet: $104
  • Best of Zagreb! Self-guided Waking tour Sit&Meet Croatian greats!: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mombasa $8.84
    Zagreb $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb

Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Tasting Tour in old town Zagreb by Local Craft Distillery: $23
  • Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $34
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
  • Private Zagreb Walking Tour and Wine Tasting From Zagreb: $109
  • WINE TASTING near Zagreb - drink and eat as much as you can!: $139
  • Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $150
  • Japetić Viewpoint Hike & Plešivica Wine Tasting: $151
  • Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $175
  • From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $193
  • The Dionysus Tour - Wine Tasting at Plešivica and Samobor visit: $215
  • Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $267
  • Private Wine Tour from Two Local Wineries & Samobor: $278


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


Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Zagreb?

Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

Zagreb 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 Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb 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. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

Mombasa is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mombasa 24°C (75°F) 
    Zagreb 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Zagreb. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Mombasa is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Zagreb. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mombasa 26°C (79°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Zagreb. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Zagreb can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mombasa 27°C (81°F) 
    Zagreb 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Mombasa or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb 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, most visitors come to Zagreb for the activities around the city during these months.

Mombasa is much warmer than Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Zagreb. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mombasa 27°C (81°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Mombasa

Mombasa Zagreb
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 260 mm (10.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 50 mm (2 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)