Which place is cheaper, Arusha or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moshi or Arusha?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Arusha, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Moshi or Arusha?
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Tanzania, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Tanzania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $71Arusha $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $71, while the average daily cost in Arusha is $176. 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 Moshi and Arusha in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $37Arusha $129
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $74Arusha $258
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Arusha
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Arusha? 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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Arusha $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
- Private Transfer from Moshi to Arusha: $250
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $53
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Airport transfer to Arusha/Moshi: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $130
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.: $50
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer | Pick Up & Drop up | With BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD: $100
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Airport transfer: $45
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Arusha?
Prices for flights to both Arusha and Moshi 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 dayMoshi $20Arusha $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Private Traditional Cooking Class. : $70
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $27
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Arusha $45
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day Hike Tour-Machame Route-ISMANI: $92
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day Hike tour- ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS: $108
- 1 Day Materuni Water falls and coffee tour: $200
- 1 Day Tour Covering Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation: $220
- 1 day tour hike mount kilimanjaro through marangu route: $240
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1Day Tour Materuni Waterfall and Kikuletwa Chemka Hotspring: $172
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- 2-Days Kilimanjaro Hikes and Materuni Waterfalls Tour: $695
- 6 Days Tanzania safari,coffee&waterfalls experience: $2,926
- 7 Days combine safari, trekking & cultural experience.: $2,926
- 8 Hours Kilimanjaro Machame Route Day Hike Tour: $100
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Day Tour in Arusha National Park: $279
- Marangu waterfall & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD : $150
- Materuni Waterfalls, Visiting Chagga Village, CoffeeTour Kikuletwa Hotsprings: $100
- Materuni Waterfalls,Coffee and Chemka Hotspring Tour: $100
- Materuni waterfalls coffee tour & Chemka hot springs Day trip: $95
- "Ultimate Tanzanian Adventure: 5-Day Safari Experience": $4,275
- 1 Day Arusha National Park tour: $270
- 1 Day Best Of Tarangire National Park Tour on 4x4 Jeep: $675
- 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
- 1-Day Ngorongoro Crater Special Tour: $645
- 1-Day Tarangire National Park Tour: $267
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,775
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.45Arusha $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Arusha, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Moshi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moshi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moshi 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Moshi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Arusha Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Arusha?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Arusha, 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.
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.