Which place is cheaper, Aqaba or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba 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 Aqaba?
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.
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesAqaba Prices
Jordan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Aqaba $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Aqaba is $157. 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 Aqaba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Aqaba $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Aqaba $118
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Aqaba
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Aqaba? 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 Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Aqaba $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Airport transfers: $180
- Airport transfers in Nairobi: $60
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
- Hotel, Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $45
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
- Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: Private Transfer to Aqaba through Hotel Pickup: $69
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port Private Transfer – Comfortable & Reliable: $80
- Wadi Araba Border Private Transfer To Petra: $105
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Sheikh Hussein Crossing Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $250
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Aqaba?
Prices for flights to both Aqaba 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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Aqaba $73
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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 Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $110
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Half Day Sunset Tour + Dinner & overnight stay in luxury tents: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Aqaba $54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $16
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi Artistic and Literary Walking Tour Experience: $22
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $99
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
- 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Aqaba $9.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Aqaba, we can see that Aqaba 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 Aqaba 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Aqaba?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Aqaba, 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.