Which place is cheaper, Durban or Moshi?
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 Moshi or Durban?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Durban, 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 Durban?
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.
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.
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Moshi Prices
Tanzania PricesDurban Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $84Durban $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $84, while the average daily cost in Durban is $73. 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 Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $36Durban $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $72Durban $56
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Durban
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Durban? 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 Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Durban $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
- Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Private Transfer to Mount Kilimanjaro: $78
- Moshi/Arusha: Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport: $70
- Tanzania Private Airport Transfer: $67
- Reliable Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Your Hotel: $55
- Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $54
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $50
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi: $49
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Airport transfer: $45
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $123
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $50
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $53
- Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $67
- Durban to Durban Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
- Durban Private Airport Arrival Transfer: $67
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers: $53
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- Departure Private Transfer Durban to Durban Airport DUR by Sedan: $99
- 1-3 Passenger Durban - Airport Transfer: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Durban?
Prices for flights to both Durban 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 $34Durban $32
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
- Cooking class and Coffee tour in Moshi Kilimanjaro: $40
- Authentic Chagga Cooking Class: Farm-to-Table Experience in Moshi: $50
- Market-to-Table Cooking Class with Local Chagga Host: $79
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $86
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
- 3 Days Chaga Culture: Cooking, NGO Projects, Banana Beer, Hiking: $209
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban
For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Durban $19
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Best Tanzania Safari Tarangire Day tour Adventure: $200
- 1 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek Marangu Route Adventure: $235
- 1 Day Tour to Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour: $128
- 1 Full Day to Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Chemka Hotspring: $95
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- Authentic Moshi experience coffee, markets & local life(7hr tour): $100
- Best 1# day Kilimanjaro trek Machame with Kilinge Adventure: $100
- Best Kilimanjaro hiking day trip tour with Kilinge Adventures: $80
- Bodaboda Experience to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $52
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
- Day Tour at Maasai Village In Tanzania: $156
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 1 Day Safari Tala Game Reserve Phezulu and Market Tour in Durban: $224
- 1 Day Sani Pass Lesotho Tour from Durban: $225
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $144
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $181
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $190
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $191
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $191
- 5-Day Zululand Tour of Drakensberg, Hluhluwe & Isimangaliso: $1,731
- A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $213
- Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift Battle Day Tour From Durban: $277
- Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, 1 Day Tour from Durban: $281
- Battlefields Tour (Anglo-Zulu) 1879, Rorkes drift & Isandlwana: $239
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.37Durban $15
When comparing the travel costs between Moshi and Durban, we can see that Moshi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Durban Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Durban?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Durban, 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.