Which place is cheaper, Nairobi or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moshi or Nairobi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Nairobi, 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 Nairobi?
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.
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $67Nairobi $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $67, while the average daily cost in Nairobi is $62. 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 Nairobi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $35Nairobi $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $70Nairobi $24
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Nairobi
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Nairobi? 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 Nairobi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $16Nairobi $11
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 Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
- Nairobi: Bus Transfer from/to Moshi: $30
- Sunset Chill with Drinks and Roundtrip Transfer: $15
- Moshi : Kikuletwa Hot Springs Day Trip with Transfers: $172
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $50
- From Nairobi: 8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb with Transfers: $1,440
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $30
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $85
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $67
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Private Airport transfer in Nairobi to Hotels: $44
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Nairobi?
Prices for flights to both Nairobi 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 $19Nairobi $7.52
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
- Private Traditional Cooking Class. : $70
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $78
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Hour Gastronomic and Street Food tour of Nairobi: $31
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $46
- Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $49
- Cooking Class with Local Organic Market Visit: $50
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Delicious food: $50
- Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi: $50
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $55
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Experience the Taste of Nairobi:A Hands-On Cooking Adventure: $60
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $18Nairobi $46
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day Hike tour- ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS: $108
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day hike Tour-Machame Route-ISMANI: $115
- #1. MATERUNI WATERFALLS: COFFEE TOUR AND CHEMKA HOTSPRING: $320
- 1 Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Picnic Hot Lunch: $190
- 1 Day Tour Covering Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation: $220
- 1 day tour hike mount kilimanjaro through marangu route: $240
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1Day Tour Materuni Waterfall and Kikuletwa Chemka Hotspring: $172
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- 2-Days Kilimanjaro Hikes and Materuni Waterfalls Tour: $695
- 3-Day Camping Adventure in Rau Forest Reserve, Arusha: $1,584
- 3-Day Trip Majestic Usambara Mountain Hike Adventure Moshi: $900
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Coffee Farm tour from Nairobi: $90
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
- Nairobi Museum Snake Park Giraffe Center and Beads Center Tour: $95
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private Half Day Tour in Giraffe Center, Bomas and Masai Market : $125
- Private Tour to Karunguru Coffee Farm : $140
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- Tour Giraffe Centre, David Shedrick, Karen Blixen & city tour.: $110
- half Day TOURS/NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK/ELEPHANT & GIRAFFE CENTRE: $90
- (Nairobi) Souvenir Shopping and Historical Half day Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.24Nairobi $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
When comparing the travel costs between Moshi and Nairobi, 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 Nairobi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Nairobi?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Nairobi, 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.