Which place is cheaper, Nairobi 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 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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Moshi Prices
Tanzania PricesNairobi Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $84Nairobi $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $84, while the average daily cost in Nairobi is $68. 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 $36Nairobi $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $72Nairobi $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 $17Nairobi $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tanzania Private Airport Transfer: $67
- Reliable Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Your Hotel: $55
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
- Moshi to Arusha or Arusha to Moshi Transfer (Intercity transfer): $93
- 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
- Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $82
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$9.28
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
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
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 $34Nairobi $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking class and Coffee tour in Moshi Kilimanjaro: $15
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Authentic Chagga Cooking Class: Farm-to-Table Experience in Moshi: $50
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $79
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $109
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
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$5.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Kenyan Food Tour with Drinks: $13
- Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $25
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $30
- Nightlife, Lounges, and Dinner Experiences: $30
- 1 Hour Gastronomic and Street Food tour of Nairobi: $32
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Cooking Class with Kenyan and Indian Dishes: $42
- Authentic Nairobi Cooking Class & Local Market Experience: $45
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Guide- No Meal: $48
- Night Street Food Tour & Rooftop Skyline Views: $50
- Nightlife Tour with Dinner, Drinks, and Club Entry: $50
- Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Nairobi $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 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 Full-Day Safari Adventure in Tarangire National Park: $250
- 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 From Arusha/Moshi: $80
- Bodaboda Experience to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $52
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
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:
- 1 Day Amboseli National Park Tour With Masai Village Tour: $169
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park Tour: $150
- 1 Day Purple Farm Tour from Nairobi Tea Tasting and Lunch: $295
- 1-Day Mount Longonot Hiking Adventure From Nairobi: $195
- 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
- 2 Days Amboseli using Safari Landcruiser 4x4 (with options): $105
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Day Safari Tour in Masai mara with 4x4 vehicle: $500
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Joining by landcruiser: $215
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara National Reserve Safari Tour: $998
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.37Nairobi $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nightlife Tour /Bar Crawl: $23
- Guided Pub Crawl with Free Drink: $25
- Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $25
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
- Thika Road Matatu Ride & Pub Crawl: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Nairobi, we can see that Moshi is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Moshi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moshi than you might in Nairobi.
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.