Which place is cheaper, Addis Ababa or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Addis Ababa?
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 Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa?
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.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesAddis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Addis Ababa $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Addis Ababa is $29. 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 Addis Ababa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Addis Ababa $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Addis Ababa $32
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Addis Ababa
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Addis Ababa? 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Addis Ababa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Addis Ababa $2.80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Airport transfers: $180
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Nairobi Airports Private Transfers: $100
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
- Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
- Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
- Bole Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
- Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Addis Ababa?
Prices for flights to both Addis Ababa 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 dayNairobi $13Addis Ababa $11
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 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
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
-
Slice of Cake$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa
For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
- Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
- Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
- Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70
- Guided Night Tour with Dinner & Live Music: $72
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Addis Ababa $2.89
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:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hell's Gate Bicycle Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $280
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
- 1-Day Mount Longonot Hiking Adventure From Nairobi: $195
- 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
- 2 Days Tour :Mt.Longonot Hiking TOUR &Hells Gate Bicycle Riding: $200
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Witness the Jungle Experience: $270
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Group joining Safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser: $270
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Shared Tour with Private Accommodation: $250
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- • Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure: $450
- • Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours: $1,775
- "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
- 1 Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $180
- 14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours: $1,580
- 2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience: $300
- 2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch: $265
- 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
- 3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
- 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730
- 3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem: $288
- 3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.: $890
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Addis Ababa $2.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Addis Ababa, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Addis Ababa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Addis Ababa?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Addis Ababa, 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.