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.
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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.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesAuckland Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Auckland $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $172. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Auckland $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Auckland $200
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Auckland $18
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:
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Shuttle Van Transfer: $100
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.57
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP / Premium Airport Transfers: $105
- Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by suv: $53
- Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $175
- Private Transfer from Auckland Cruise Port to Auckland: $53
- Private Transfer North Shore or Henderson to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Van: $132
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ship To Auckland CBD Hotels: $90
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ship To Auckland Airport: $180
- Private Transfer From Auckland City To Auckland Airport Oaks: $81
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Cruise Ship Terminal: $90
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport Oaks To Auckland City: $81
- Private Mini Van Transfer From Auckland Airport to Auckland City: $99
- Private Mercedes Airport Transfers in Auckland: $90
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
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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:
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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:
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
- Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.78
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: $93
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
- Auckland Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $117
- Auckland Downtown Food Tour with 5 Locals Favorite Dishes: $129
- Ponsonby Road Food Tour in Auckland: $141
- Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
- Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
- From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Auckland $28
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:
- 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 Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park Tour: $150
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
- 1-Day Mount Longonot Hiking Adventure From Nairobi: $295
- 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $215
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $270
- 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
- 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$121
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "City of Sails" highlights - private tour with German tour guide: $220
- 2-Hour Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour to Lucas Creek Waterfall: $72
- 2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour: $96
- 24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour: $3,447
- AKL: TAUPO - Huka Falls River Cruise, Wai O Tapu & Blue Springs: $288
- Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $86
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $120
- Amazing Auckland City Half Day Guided Tour: $107
- America's Cup Sailing Experience on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour: $126
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $122
- Auckland Airport To Ports Of Auckland Private Highlights Tour: $240
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour: $150
Alcohol
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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:
- Auckland Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $15
- Auckland City Volcano Views and Wine Tasting: $105
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $111
- Muriwai GANNET Colony & Wine Tasting - Half Day Tour Ex Auckland: $150
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $165
- Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $177
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
- Kumeu Wine Tasting & Local Flavours Tour: Vines, Brews & Views: $180
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
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.