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

Should you visit Nairobi or Antsiranana?

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 Antsiranana 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 Antsiranana?

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.

Antsiranana

Antsiranana is the capital of Madagascar's northernmost province, Diana, and until 1975 it was known as Diego Suarez. The city has a port that has become a site for naval repairs and is the largest in the entire Indian Ocean. The port is mainly used for tinned fish and bottled drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The city has a population of a little over 100,000. The French used the city as a military base after independence from 1960 until 1973, after the socialist revolution.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar.


Which place is cheaper, Antsiranana 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 Antsiranana is $122. 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 Antsiranana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Antsiranana $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Antsiranana $92
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Antsiranana

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Antsiranana? 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 Antsiranana


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Antsiranana $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi: $40
  • Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $54
  • Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
  • Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $80
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $135
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
  • Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Antsiranana?

Prices for flights to both Antsiranana 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
    Antsiranana $64
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:

  • Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • BBQ Dinner & Cat Dancers Experience at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers: $100
  • Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antsiranana

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

  • MADAGASCAR DIEGO SUAREZ: COOKING CLASS: $79
  • MADAGASCAR DIEGO SUAREZ: STREETFOOD TOUR: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Antsiranana $20
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 Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
  • 1 Day Purple Farm Tour from Nairobi Tea Tasting and Lunch: $295
  • 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride: $75
  • 1-Day Mount Longonot Hiking Adventure From Nairobi: $145
  • 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $160
  • 2 Days Tour :Mt.Longonot Hiking TOUR &Hells Gate Bicycle Riding: $200
  • 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Joining Safari With Guided Tour: $250
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $210
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295

Tours and Activities in Antsiranana

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

  • Day tour in Amber Mountain (6 to 8 hour): $291
  • Diego Suarez (Antsiranana): Red Tsingy Half-Day Tour: $164
  • MADAGASCAR DIEGO SUAREZ: CITY TOUR: $66
  • Montagne d'Ambre: excursions for cruise ships in Antsiranana: $218
  • Visit the Tsingy rouge: cruise ship excursions in Antsiranana: $158

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Antsiranana $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Antsiranana, we can see that Antsiranana is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Antsiranana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antsiranana 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 Antsiranana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Antsiranana?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Antsiranana. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Antsiranana, 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.