A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Cairo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Nairobi or Cairo?

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 Cairo 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 Cairo?

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.

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Cairo is $31. 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 Cairo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Cairo $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Cairo $22
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Cairo

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Cairo? 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Cairo


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 Cairo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Cairo $3.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • 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 in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
  • Airport Transfers: $40
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
  • Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels: $55
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • 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
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • transfer from Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels to Alexandria: $55
  • transfer from Cairo airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $20
  • private transfer from Cairo to Alexandria: $95
  • Welcome to Private Airport Pickup & Transfer: $24
  • Visit Mall of Egypt with Hotel Transfer: $47
  • VIP Meet and assist with transfer from Cairo and SPX Airport: $12
  • VIP Meet and Assist in Cairo Airport with Private Transfer to Cairo Hotels: $49
  • VIP Meet and Assist at Cairo Airport with Private Hotel Transfer: $35
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer: Mercedes E-Class Meet & Greet: $50
  • VIP Ain Sokhna Red Sea Day Trip from Cairo with Private Transfer: $90
  • Two-Day Private City Tour of Cairo, Giza Pyramids and Saqqara+Airport Transfer: $220
  • Transfers From Cairo Airport: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Cairo?

Prices for flights to both Cairo 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 day
    Nairobi $13
    Cairo $17
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • 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
  • Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
  • 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
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100

Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.

  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, ATV & Shopping Tour with Dinner Cruise: $5.00
  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
  • 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
  • Giza Pyramids Sphinx Camel Ride ATV Bike Shopping Dinner cruise: $7.00
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
  • 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.00
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $8.00
  • Food Tour Private Tour from Cairo or Giza Hotel: $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • Romantic Nile Dinner Cruise Experience: $8.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Cairo $8.51
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:

  • Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
  • 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 City Tour +Pickup: $19
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $20
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Half Day Nairobi National Park Game Drive tour.: $22
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.79
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.06

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • "Private Half-Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids Saqqara and Memphis: $25
  • ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
  • (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
  • 1 Day Private Tour in Cairo and Giza: $90
  • 1 Day Private Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $100
  • 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour Around Giza Pyramids: $30
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Hour adventure in the Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1-Day Tour to the Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo: $34
  • 1-Hour Private Felucca Boat Tour on the Nile: $9.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Cairo $1.38

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $69

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Cairo, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Cairo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Cairo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Cairo?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Cairo, 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.
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