Which place is cheaper, Bangkok 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 Bangkok?
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 Bangkok 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 Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Bangkok $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $99. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Bangkok $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Bangkok $96
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Bangkok? 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 Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Bangkok $6.24
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$9.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $80
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Nairobi Airport Transfers: $50
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport and Hotels: $40
- Nairobi Airport transfers: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.39
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Skytrain Ticket$4.78
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.96
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Ferry Ride$0.78
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Taxi From Airport$7.46
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Short Taxi Ride$2.69
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Boat Taxi$1.49
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Trains to airport$4.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin: $76
- VIP Bangkok Tours and Transfers: $64
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya: $65
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Koh Chang: $143
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin: $81
- Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Bangkok city: $29
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park: $81
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Huahin: $81
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to DMK Donmuang Airport: $33
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $18
- Transfer From Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok Hotel or Vice Versa: $40
- Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya 24 hour Round trip Transfer Service: $146
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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 $13Bangkok $34
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$5.00
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
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- 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
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- 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
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$27
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.97
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.34
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.90
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.97
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Pad Thai$2.09
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Airport Lunch for 2$16
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Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Mahanakorn Pad Thai & Tom Yum Cooking Class in Bangkok: $21
- Royal Princess Dinner Cruise in Bangkok: $25
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $26
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $27
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck Ticket with Buffet Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Alangka Dinner Cruise from Bangkok on Chao Phraya River ICONSIAM: $30
- Peaceful Wat Pho and Authentic Street Food Tour: $30
- Bangkok The Luxury White Sunset or Dinner Cruise (Asiatique Pier): $30
- Royal Princess Cruise Sunset Dinner on the Chao Phraya in Bangkok: $31
- Bangkok Meridian Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM: $31
- Bangkok Unicorn Chao Phraya River Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Bangkok $17
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
- Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi Green Bus City Sightseeing Tour 4 Hours: $23
- Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
- Nairobi History, Culture and Modern City Walking Tour: $24
- Nairobi City Tour: $25
- Nairobi city walking tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.78
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$10
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.49
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.97
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Club Cover Charge$11
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$72
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Fish Pedicure$4.48
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.98
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Bangkok Walking Hopping Tour" show city’s historic sights are located.: $74
- 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience: $19
- 2 Day Guided Tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya: $91
- 2 Hour Electric Tuk Tuk Cultural Tour of Bangkok: $29
- 2 Hour Longtail Boat Bangkok Canal Tour: $79
- 2 Hours Bangkok Canal Tour By Longtail Boat: $70
- 3 Hour Bus Tour in Ayutthaya Heritage and Temples: $34
- 3hr Sunset Canal Cruise & Stop at Biggest Buddha (fully guided): $73
- 4 Dishes Thai Cuisine Experience at Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi: $59
- 5-Hour Bike Tour of Hidden Bangkok: $55
- 8 Hours Tuk Tuk Private Tour within Bangkok Area: Customed Trips: $111
- 8 hours Bangkok Customized Private Day Tour Pick up from Hotel: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Bangkok $5.46
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok is in Asia, 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Bangkok, 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.