Which place is cheaper, Kampala or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moshi or Kampala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Kampala, 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 Kampala?
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.
Kampala
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, and The Best Safaris in Uganda.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $71Kampala $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $71, while the average daily cost in Kampala is $69. 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 Kampala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $37Kampala $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $74Kampala $118
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Kampala
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Kampala? 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 Kampala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Kampala $2.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer From Kilimanjaro International Airport 7 Seater: $42
- Airport transfer to Arusha/Moshi: $55
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer : $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Private Transfer from Moshi to Arusha: $250
- Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$3.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $128
- Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
- From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
- Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
- Entebbe Airport Transfers: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Kampala?
Prices for flights to both Kampala 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 $20Kampala $8.33
Typical Food Prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Like a local cooking Tours: $26
- Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala: $31
- Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
- Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $75
- Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
- Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
- Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
- uganda fun time (bed,breakfast, lunch and dinner ) : $154
- Kampala food tour: $205
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Kampala -
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
- Culture tour: $40
- 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
- Moshi Materuni Waterfalls, Chemka Hot Springs, & Coffee Tour: $60
- Private Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour. : $61
- MATERUNI WATERFALLS AND COFFEE TOUR: $64
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Equator Tour: $100
- 1 Day Jinja source of the Nile tour: $290
- 1 Day Kampala City Tour: $150
- 1 Day Ngamba Island chimpanzee tour: $270
- 1 Day Uganda Cultural & Farm Experience: $460
- 1 day Jinja Day trip and Source of R. Nile tour: $261
- 1Day Jinja Tour & source of the Nile River Experience : $193
- 2 Days Birding Tour in Entebbe: $246
- 3 Hours Guided Cycling Tour Across Lake Victoria: $60
- 6 Hour Kampala Small Group Guided Walking Tour: $60
- 6 Hours Walking Tour in Kampala : $47
- 7 Hours Guided Cycling Tour to Sezibwa Waterfalls: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.45Kampala -
Sample the Local Flavors in Kampala
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:
- Entebbe and club,pub and bar crawl experiences: $35
- Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $65
When comparing the travel costs between Moshi and Kampala, 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 Kampala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Kampala?
Kampala has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Kampala, 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.