Which place is cheaper, Jinja or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moshi or Jinja?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Jinja, 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 Jinja?
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.
Jinja
Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $71Jinja $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $71, while the average daily cost in Jinja is $92. 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 Jinja in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $37Jinja $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $74Jinja $88
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Jinja
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Jinja? 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 Jinja Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Jinja $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer to Arusha/Moshi: $55
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $53
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Private Transfer from Moshi to Arusha: $250
- Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Jinja?
Prices for flights to both Jinja 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 $20Jinja $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Jinja $29
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided City tour of Moshi: $20
- Town tour and Local Markets tour: $27
- Private guided tour to the night lifestyle of Moshi town: $30
- Materuni: Coffee Plantation Tour: $40
- Day Tour Around Moshi Tanzania: $50
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $55
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
- Private Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour. : $61
- Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour with Lunch: $65
- Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour: $65
- Kibosho Village Day Tour Experience from Moshi: $67
Tours and Activities in Jinja
Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 18 Days African Jungle Safari Tour: $9,433
- 3days jinja and sipi falls tour: $800
- David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
- Half-Day Banana Kayak Experience in Bubugo with Lunch: $25
- Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
- Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
- Three days source of the nile & sipi falls tour: $760
- Uganda: 4 Day Jinja City Tour Uganda: $1,655
- White Water Rafting & Source of the Nile Adventure: $760
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.45Jinja $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Jinja, we can see that Jinja 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 Jinja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinja 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 Jinja Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Jinja?
Moshi has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Jinja. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Jinja, 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.