A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Accra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Accra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Accra?

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.

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.


Which place is cheaper, Accra or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Accra is $51. 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 Nairobi and Accra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Accra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Accra $44
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Accra

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Accra? 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Accra


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Accra $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • NBO Airport Private Transfer to/from Nairobi City Center: $8.85
  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
  • Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
  • Wilson Airport Private Transfer to Nairobi hotels or Airport: $30
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
  • From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport and Hotels: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $115
  • Private Accra Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $33
  • Private Accra Airport Transfer (ACC): Accra, other towns & cities: $60
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $130
  • From Private Airport Transfer, Pickup & Drop-off Services: $40
  • Arrival & Departure Airport Hotel Transfers: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Accra?

Prices for flights to both Accra and Nairobi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Accra $19
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
  • Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.

  • Accra Osu Night Market Food Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $80
  • Ghana Jollof Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine: $80
  • Accra Makola Market Food Tour With Full Lunch: $81
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Private Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
  • Private 1 to 2 Hours Street Food Tour in Ghana: $100
  • Private Ghanaian Cooking Class at Accra's Premier Food Hub: $200
  • Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $216
  • Food Tour in Accra: $286

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Accra $3.88
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • 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:

  • Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Nairobi Green Bus City Sightseeing Tour 4 Hours: $23
  • Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
  • Discover Nairobi City with Student Led Walking Tour: $25
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25
  • Nairobi Cultural Shopping Experience: $26

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $81
  • 2-Day Accra & Cape Coast Tour: $300
  • 2-day Tour of Downtown Accra: $216
  • A Tour to Boti Falls: $220
  • Aburi ATV - Quad Biking and Waterfall Private Tour: $270
  • Aburi Botanic Gardens, Boti Falls,Umbrella Rock & Cocoa Farm Tour: $150
  • Aburi Botanical Gardens and Asenema Waterfalls Day Tour: $165
  • Aburi Gardens & Cocoa Tours: $190
  • Aburi Gardens,First Ever Cocoa Farm & Waterfalls Day Adventure: $90
  • Accra - Ada Aqua Safari - Friendly Tours: $230
  • Accra City Day Tour-History,Culture,Markets&Independence Square: $40
  • Accra City Experience in 4 Hours: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Accra $5.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:

  • Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Accra, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Accra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Accra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Accra?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Accra, 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.