Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Auckland?
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 Auckland 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesAuckland Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Auckland $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $170. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Auckland $99
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Auckland $198
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Auckland? 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 Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Auckland $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.23
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
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $42
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $40
- Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
-
Bus from Airport$9.47
-
Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [PRIVATE] Airport Transfer from/to Auckland Airport: $108
- VIP / Premium Airport Transfers: $84
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Auckland HTL-APT (AKL): $38
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Auckland APT-HTL (AKL): $38
- Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $188
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ships To Auckland Airport : $120
- Private Transfer From Auckland City To Auckland Airport Oaks: $72
- Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $96
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Thames: $201
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To North Shore Auckland : $120
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Hibiscus Coast: $120
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Cambridge : $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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 $13Auckland $46
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.00
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
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class and Dining Experience: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers : $100
- Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
- Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
- Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant Lunch / Dinner Experience: $125
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $135
- Safari Park Hotel Cat Dance and Dinner Experience: $135
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$4.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $94
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $102
- Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $524
- From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $556
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Auckland $27
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:
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Local Lunch and Beer Tasting Experience: $90
- Nairobi National Park Morning Or Evening Game Drive 4x4 Tour Van: $50
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private 4WD Lake Nakuru Day Tour from Nairobi: $190
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha : $139
- 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
- 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $46
- 1-Day Hiking Adventure at Mount Longonot from Nairobi: $170
- 2 Days Group Safari to Amboseli using a Landcruiser 4x4 Jeep: $260
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
-
Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$119
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour : $96
- Cathedral Cove & Hot water beach -Full Day Tour: PRIVATE TOUR : $270
- Hobbiton Lord Of Rings Movie Set tour Private Driver : $198
- Hobbiton Movie Set Small Tour from Auckland: $249
- 24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour: $3,484
- 4 hours Auckland Friday Night Tour : $78
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $174
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $12
- AUCKLAND CITY Full Day Tour with War Memorial Museum and Mt Eden: $155
- Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $87
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $117
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $114
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $111
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $119
- Waiheke Island: Wine Tour + Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $146
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $161
- Double Decker City Tour with Wine Tastings & Food: $163
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $165
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $176
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $180
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $184
- City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $205
- Shore Excursion from Auckland - Private Tour & Wine Tasting: $281
- Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tour: $305
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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 Auckland is in Pacific, 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Auckland?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Auckland, 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.