Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Budapest?
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 Budapest 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 Budapest?
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.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Budapest $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $91. 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 Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Budapest $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Budapest $100
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Budapest? 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 Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Budapest $11
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$9.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $84
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $84
- Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $80
- Nairobi Airport to Hotel Transfers with city tour: $80
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $75
- Nairobi Airport Transfers : $69
- Train tickets and transfer from Nairobi to mombasa: $67
- Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels : $55
- Private Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$7.04
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Metro Pass$3.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Budapest​ APT-HTL (BUD): $57
- Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $718
- T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,615
- Speed boat cruise on Budapest Danube river and private airport transfer package: $93
- Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $947
- Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $599
- Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,077
- Private transfer from Budapest to Bratislava with Hotel or Airport pick-up: $282
- Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $479
- Private Transfer: Budapest to Budapest International Airport (BUD): $45
- Private Transfer in Budapest: $95
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Zagreb with 2 hours for sightseeing: $273
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest 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 $7.63Budapest $23
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$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $80
- Barbecue Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $92
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $98
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $32
- Tipsy Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $32
- Budapest Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks: $32
- Budapest Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food Included: $32
- Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $42
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $46
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $47
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $53
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
- Private Street Food Tour: $60
- Budapest Tipsy Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Budapest $22
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$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private Tour Nairobi national park & Giraffe Centre: $120
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
- 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $50
- 12-Hour Private Tour to Amboseli National Park: $220
- 1Day Ngong Hills Hiking ang Zip Line Adventure: $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two$6.91
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $167
- Interactive Magic and Witchcraft Discovery Tour in Budapest: $22
- Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $245
- 1 Hour Budapest Segway Tour - Parliament Hightails: $39
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Cruise in Budapest: $11
- 10PM Budapest Danube Cruise with Live Music & Food or Drinks : $20
- 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $45
- 2 Hours Private Scenic Photo Tour Around Budapest: $223
- 2-Hour Private Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $129
- 20 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $28
- 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $26
- 3 Hours Private Guided Tour In Budapest: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Budapest $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $22
- Budapest Pub Crawl +6 free Shots +VIP Access +Drinking Games : $22
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $26
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $26
- Private, Personalized Pub Crawl, 5 drinks included: $27
- Pub Crawl Budapest - with challanges and games: $30
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $33
- Hungarian pálinka distillery visit and tasting: $33
- Pub Crawl - Bar Pass: $38
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $39
- Budapest Pub Pass: The Bar Crawl Tour: $39
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Budapest, we can see that Budapest 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 Budapest is in Europe, 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 Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest 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 Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Budapest?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Budapest, 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.