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 $68Bangkok $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $103. 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 $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Bangkok $98
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 $6.42
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 Transfer (one Way): $80
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Airport transfers: $180
- Airport transfers in Nairobi: $60
- From JKIA Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax max): $35
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
- Nairobi - Maasai Mara Shuttle Transfers.: $61
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
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$2.46
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Skytrain Ticket$4.91
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.98
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.67
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Short Taxi Ride$2.76
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Boat Taxi$1.53
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Trains to airport$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin: $78
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Rayong Province: $96
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin: $83
- Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Bangkok city: $30
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $33
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Huahin: $83
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to DMK Donmuang Airport: $33
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Ayuttaya: $50
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport to Rayong Province: $83
- Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok City: $29
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $19
- Suvarnabhumi BKK Airport Private Transfer to/from Bangkok/Pattaya: $15
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 $36
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:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120
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)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.14
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.38
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.92
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.14
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Pad Thai$2.15
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Buffet Dinner or Lunch: $24
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $25
- Meridian Sunset Cruise Dinner Buffet from Bangkok: $25
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Chao Phraya River Meridian Dinner Buffet Cruise Tour: $28
- Chao Phraya Princess Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $29
- Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok's Old Town with Market Tour: $29
- Alangka Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $30
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Smile Riverside Cruise Luxury Buffet Dinner from Bangkok: $31
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $31
- Authentic Thai Cooking with the Largest market visit &TukTuk ride: $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Bangkok $18
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:
- Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $10
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi Artistic and Literary Walking Tour Experience: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $23
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day 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$4.91
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.53
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.14
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.60
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.07
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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:
- 2 Days Ayutthaya Authentic Tour with the Local: $277
- 2 Days Pattaya Sunset Boat Party Tour: $140
- 2 Hour Electric Tuk Tuk Cultural Tour of Bangkok: $30
- 2 Hours Bangkok Canal Tour By Longtail Boat: $72
- 2 Hours TukTuk Adventure Bangkok Highlights: $30
- 2-Day River Kwai Adventure with 1-Night Stay at Resotel: $243
- 2-hour SUNSET Canal Tour + FOODS Tasting with Tour Guide: $50
- 3 Days Bangkok Experience with Accommodation & Top Sightseeing: $183
- 3 Hours Private Bangkok Highlights Tour by Public Transport: $88
- 3 Remarkable Temples Walking Tour in Bangkok: $62
- 4 Dishes Thai Cuisine Experience at Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi: $59
- 4 Hours Private Tour in Bangkok: $107
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Bangkok $5.60
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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$1.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $21
- GoGo Bar Crawl With Party Vehicle and Party Guide: $62
- Bangkok Bar Crawl by Tuk Tuk: $69
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.