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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Nairobi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $61, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $116. 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 person
    Nairobi $11
    Ankara $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $22
    Ankara $114
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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Ankara


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 $10
    Ankara $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Airport Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $20
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $35
  • Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $40
  • From 7-Day Kenya Safari Trip with Meals & Transfer: $1,800
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: Airport transfers: $50
  • Kibera Slums Kenya Day Guided Tour With Transfer.: $40
  • Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
  • NAIROBI AIRPORT TRANSFER: $23
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $24

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): $39
  • Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
  • 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: $109
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76

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 day
    Nairobi $7.35
    Ankara $32
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.92

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
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience.: $32
  • Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $48
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $54
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
  • Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80

Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $45
    Ankara $34
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:

  • 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
  • vibrant kibera slum tour: $24
  • Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25
  • Kibera slums half day tour from nairobi: $25
  • Memorable Daily KIBERA Slums/Toi Market Tour with Locals (2 hours): $25
  • Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $25
  • From Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour: $25
  • Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $25

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: $48
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour: $269
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $218
  • Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
  • Private Tour with a Local: $38
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
  • Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $15
    Ankara $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.