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.
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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.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesAddis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Addis Ababa $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Addis Ababa is $34. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Addis Ababa $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Addis Ababa $38
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Addis Ababa $3.36
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$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jomo Kenyatta international airport Nairobi transfer: $550
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $291
- National Park Layover Tour with airport transfers.: $290
- Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Quad Bike Wildlife Safari with Transfers & meal: $135
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Stopover, Layover & Transit Tour with Transfers.: $110
- 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:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $152
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
- City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $35
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $17
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $34
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Addis Ababa $13
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$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nairobi, Kenya : Universal Cooking Classes: $34
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $35
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $48
- Kibera Slum Bomas of Kenya and Dinner at Carnivore Nairobi: $55
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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Slice of Cake$0.05
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:
- Cooking Class, Injera baking & coffee ceremony: $48
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $58
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
- Ethiopian cooking class: $68
- Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $80
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $86
- Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
- Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $90
- Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Addis Ababa $3.47
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:
- 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $45
- 5 hours Nairobi national park Private tour: $80
- Animal Orphanage Half Day Tour in Nairobi: $150
- Coffee Factory Private tour from Nairobi.: $75
- 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
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Nairobi City Highlight Guided Tour : $95
- Nairobi Giraffe Center Layover Tour with Pickup: $95
- Nairobi National Park Safari Group Tour Experience: $80
- Private Half Day Tour in Giraffe Center, Bomas and Masai Market : $125
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
- 1 Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $180
- 2 Day Lalibela Tours: $300
- 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $311
- 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
- 3 Days Trekking Simien Mountains Tours: $300
- 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $65
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $75
- A Guided Tour of Addis Ababa That Includes a City Viewpoint: $65
- A guided tour of Addis Abeba that includes a city viewpoint: $69
- Addis Ababa +Mount Entoto View Point,Museums Palace Market Tours: $69
- Addis Ababa AFull day experience history culture &local acti: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Addis Ababa $2.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $17
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
- Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65
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.