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

Should you visit Nairobi or Alexandria?

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 Alexandria 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 Alexandria?

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.

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

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


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $17. 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 Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Alexandria $7.99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Alexandria $16
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Alexandria? 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 Alexandria


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 Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Alexandria $2.49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $20
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $41
  • Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $40
  • Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $40
  • Chauffeur, Airport Pickups And Transfers Within Nairobi: $22
  • From 7-Day Kenya Safari Trip with Meals & Transfer: $1,800
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: Airport transfers: $50
  • Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $26
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $24
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

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


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $243
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
  • Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • From Private Transfer to Luxor: $251
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria 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 $7.63
    Alexandria $6.46
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.11

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
  • Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
  • Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $87
  • The Safari Cats Show Tickets & Buffet Dinner: $89

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

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

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria Food Tour: $50
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $47
    Alexandria $3.50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Village Visit
    $16

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
  • Nairobi cultural shopping experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $19
  • Nairobi City;culture and historical guided tour: $19
  • Nairobi;Downtown walking tour: $20
  • Kibera slums half day tour from nairobi: $25
  • From Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour: $25
  • Nairobi City tour: $25
  • Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $25
  • Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $25
  • Memorable Daily KIBERA Slums/Toi Market Tour with Locals (2 hours): $25
  • Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
  • National Museum and Egyptian museum Private Tour in Egypt: $258
  • Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
  • 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $174
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
  • 6-Hour Day Tour to Alexandria Attractions with Pickup Included: $78
  • 6-Hour Private Day Tour to Rashid from Alexandria: $100
  • 8 Days Ultra Luxury Cairo, Alexandria & Nile cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $117
  • Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Alexandria $1.35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Alexandria, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.

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


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Alexandria, 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.