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

Should you visit Nairobi or Amman?

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 Amman 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 Amman?

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.

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

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


Which place is cheaper, Amman 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 $68, while the average daily cost in Amman is $135. 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 Amman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Amman $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Amman $98
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Amman

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Amman? 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 Amman


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 Amman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Amman $24
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:

  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
  • Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
  • Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $54
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
  • Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $99
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $292
  • Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

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

  • Transfer to Petra from Amman /Amman Airport: $250
  • Transfer from Queen Alia Airport to Dead Sea Hotels or visa versa: $46
  • Queen Alia Airport Transfers From / To Amman, Petra, Dead Sea.: $45
  • Private Transfers from Amman City Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $77
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Wadi Rum: $133
  • Private Transfer: Airport or Amman to Petra Vice Versa: $96
  • Private Transfer from Madaba Hotel to Amman Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer from Amman to the Dead Sea: $53
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Araba Border: $153
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $19
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport QAIA to Your Hotel in Amman: $65
  • Private Transfer From Amman City To Petra: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Amman?

Prices for flights to both Amman 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
    Amman $58
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
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100

Typical Food Prices in Amman

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


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

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

  • Amman by Night Tour with Local Dinner: $31
  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Amman: $100
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $107
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at Alee Restaurant in Amman: $120
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience: $147
  • Private Food Tour in Amman by Day (inc Citadel & Roman Theatre): $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Amman $32
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 Purple Farm Tour from Nairobi Tea Tasting and Lunch: $295
  • 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
  • 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
  • 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
  • 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
  • 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Joining Safari With Guided Tour: $250
  • 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
  • 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
  • 3 day Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4 x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $220

Tours and Activities in Amman

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

  • 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $100
  • 2 Day Group Tour from Amman to Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead Sea: $250
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Baptism and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Aqaba Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Baptism Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Bubble Experience: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Amman $14

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Amman

Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting: $127


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Amman, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa and Amman is in Middle East, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman 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 Nairobi Expensive? and Is Amman Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Amman?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Amman. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Amman, 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.