Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Ankara?
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 Ankara 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 Ankara?
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.
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Ankara $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $115. 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 Ankara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Ankara $56
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Ankara $112
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Ankara
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Ankara? 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 Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Ankara $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $75
- Airport Transfer in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels : $55
- Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $80
- Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Nairobi Airport Private Transfers: $35
- Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
- Nairobi Airport Transfers : $69
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to City Hotels or Wilson Airport: $24
- Nairobi Airport and Hotel Private Vehicle Transfer: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
-
Metro Ride$0.04
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $40
- Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $40
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $111
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $111
- Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $63
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $72
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Ankara?
Prices for flights to both Ankara 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 $7.63Ankara $32
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 experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $80
- Barbecue Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $92
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $98
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
-
A Quick Lunch$0.35
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Ankara $34
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
- Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25
- Nairobi City Tour: $25
- Nairobi city walking tour : $25
- Mathare Community Slum Tour: $26
- Private Historical Walking Tour in Innercity Nairobi: $27
- Nairobi City and Cultural ShoppingTour: $29
- Nairobi Historical Walking City Tour: $32
- Souvenir Crafts, Fabric Shopping & Hair Braiding & City Tour : $35
- Nairobi Arusha shuttle bus ticket book bus online Tickets: $35
- Coffee farm tour, coffee roasting and tasting experience: $35
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Underground City$0.25
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $49
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: $272
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $223
- Private Tour with a Local: $38
- Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
- Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
- Konya and Cappdocia Tour (3 Days-2 Nights): $447
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
- Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Ankara $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Ankara, we can see that Ankara 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 Ankara is in Europe, 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 Ankara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ankara 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 Ankara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Ankara?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Ankara, 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.