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

Africa / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

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.

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 city 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 $63, while the average daily cost in Arusha is $155. 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 city. 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 $33
    Arusha $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moshi $66
    Arusha $226

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moshi $15
    Arusha $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi

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

  • Moshi to Arusha or Arusha to Moshi Transfer (Intercity transfer): $67
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfers: $53
  • Airport transfer: $35
  • Airport Transfers: $55
  • Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $35

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 Road (KIA): $149
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $977
  • Private Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi City Round-Trip Transfer: $74
  • Private Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha City Round-Trip Transfer: $103
  • Private Departure Transfer from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport: $37
  • Private Departure Transfer from Arusha to Arusha Airport: $37
  • Private Arusha Airport - Arusha City Round-Trip Transfer: $73
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi City: $37
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City: $51
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Arusha Airport to Arusha City: $37
  • Moshi Hot Springs Half Day Transfer: $99
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $100

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 $18
    Arusha $21

Typical Food prices in Arusha

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


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

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

  • Swahili Cooking Classes and Cultural experience (Group): $35
  • Day Trip to Materuni Falls ( coffee & Food tour ) featuring Kikuletwa Hot Spring: $136
  • Local food Cooking in Arusha Community: $144

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Moshi $17
    Arusha $40

Tours and Activities in Moshi

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

  • 1 Day cycle tour -Moshi-Tpc Sugar - Hot Spring: $220
  • 1 Day tour Arusha National Park: $462
  • 2-Day Masai Village Camping Experience and Kikuletwa Hot Spring: $465
  • 4 days Adventure Camping Safari: $2,900
  • 4 days Luxury Safari Adventure: $6,000
  • 5 Days Safari tour itinerary: Delight With Luxury Safaris In 3 National Parks: $4,400
  • 5 days Safari Adventure: $3,350
  • 6 Day Scenic Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route Tour: $1,867
  • 6 Days Hiking Adventure through Machame: $2,700
  • 6 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure: $1,924
  • 6 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Hiking With Africa Natural Tours Co L.T.D: $1,700
  • 6 Days Romantic tour itinerary for Excite With Beach View, Life Explores!: $1,480

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • "Mt Kilimanajaro Climbing adventure": $2,229
  • 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
  • 1 Day Tour to Ngorongoro Crater: $800
  • 1 Day Trip to Ngorongoro Crater - Group Joining Tour: $321
  • 1 Day: Cycling Tour to Arusha National Park: $534
  • 1-Day Arusha National Park Day-Tour: $390
  • 1-Day Experience Tarangire: $378
  • 1-Day Tour to Ngorongoro Crater: $385
  • 1-Day Tour to Ngorongoro Crater: $547
  • 10 Days Luxury Safari Tour in Tanzania: $7,887
  • 10 Days Perfectly Family Luxury Safari Tour Tanzania: $8,962
  • 10 Days Serengeti Wildlife Safari and Tanzania Cultural Tour: $10,056

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moshi $3.04
    Arusha $9.48

About these numbers

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.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Zanzibar vs. Serengeti National Park
Zanzibar vs. Moshi
Zanzibar vs. Dar es Salaam
Zanzibar vs. Arusha
Serengeti National Park vs. Moshi
Serengeti National Park vs. Dar es Salaam
Serengeti National Park vs. Arusha
Moshi vs. Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam vs. Arusha
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Moshi vs. Arusha Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.