A Travel Price Comparison for Tanzania Moshi vs. Arusha for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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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.

Which place is cheaper, Arusha or Moshi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $73, while the average daily cost in Arusha is $182. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moshi $38
    Arusha $133
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moshi $76
    Arusha $266
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.

Hotels in Moshi


Hotels in Arusha


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moshi $18
    Arusha $14

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 Moshi to Arusha: $90
  • Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.: $40
  • Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
  • Private Departure Transfer from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport: $35
  • Moshi to Arusha or Arusha to Moshi Transfer (Intercity transfer): $93
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $53
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer : $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $133
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $868
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi City: $35
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $100
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer | Pick Up & Drop up | With BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD: $100
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Return Transfers to and From Arusha Hotels: $147
  • Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Arusha Nairobi Moshi Private ImpalaShuttles Transfer: $35
  • Arusha Airport Transfer to Arusha City: $40
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Airport transfer: $45

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Moshi $21
    Arusha $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi

For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
  • Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
  • Private Traditional Cooking Class. : $70
  • Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $78
  • Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $86

Typical Food prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.21

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: $40
  • Evening Hiking to Oljoro Hills Hunting the Sunset & Maasai Lamb Berbeque Dinner: $70
  • Africa health cuisine food tour: $108

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Moshi $20
    Arusha $46

Tours and Activities in Moshi

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

  • 11 Days Classic Luxury Safari Tour Tanzania: $10,756
  • 5 Days Safari tour itinerary: Delight With Luxury Safaris In 3 National Parks: $5,500
  • 6 Days Climb Private Tour in Mount Kilimanjaro: $1,881
  • 6 Days Kilimanjaro [ Climbing ] Hiking tour via Marangu Route : $738
  • 7 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climbing | Solely Tours: $2,297
  • Day Trip Tour to Arusha National Park from Arusha town: $282
  • Kilimanjaro Climbing and Tanzania Safari Tour Experince: $21,375
  • Materuni Village Tour | Materuni waterfalls | materuni coffee tour: $44
  • 1 Day Tarangire National Park Day Tours: $697
  • 1 Day Tour to Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour: $128
  • 1 Day Trip to Ngorongoro Crater - Group Joining Tour: $325
  • 1 day tour hike mount kilimanjaro through marangu route: $240

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • 2 Days Safari Tour in Tarangire and Ngorongoro: $500
  • 3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Group Tour: $1,441
  • 3 Days Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro Joining Group Safari Tour Tanzania : $761
  • 3 days Group tour Tarangire, Ngorongoro & lake manyara park: $800
  • 4 Days Big 5 Tour & Cultural Experience: $1,700
  • 4 days Best experience Kilimanjaro Hike, Serengeti &Ngorongoro : $859
  • 5 Days Kilimanjaro hiking Tours via Marangu Route | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD: $2,325
  • 5-Day Group Tour Mid Range: $2,300
  • 5-Day Private Classic Safari Tour of Ngorongoro and Serengeti: $3,000
  • 5-Days Private Tanzania Safari Tour: $2,150
  • 6-Day Unforgettable Tour in Tanzania: $1,462
  • 7 Days Tour Northern Tanzania Safari: : $2,724

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moshi $3.56
    Arusha $11

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

Which is Bigger, Moshi or Arusha?

Arusha is bigger, and its population is about 2.2 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the population of Moshi vs. 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Moshi vs. Arusha Travel Comparison

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