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 $68, while the average daily cost in Cairo is $32. 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 $3.62
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 (one Way): $80
  • Airport Transfers: $40
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • Airport transfers: $180
  • Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
  • 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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza: $35
  • one transfer from airport to Cairo Giza hotels or hotels to Cairo airport: $20
  • Visit Mall of Egypt with Hotel Transfer: $47
  • VIP Meet and assist with transfer from Cairo and SPX Airport: $12
  • VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer from Cairo Airport: $39
  • VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer From Cairo Airport: $20
  • 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 Ain Sokhna Red Sea Day Trip from Cairo with Private Transfer: $90
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo APT-HTL (CAI): $33
  • Transfer your private departure from your hotel to Cairo Airport: $20
  • Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor city by private Cars: $170

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
  • Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
  • 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
  • Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
  • Flavors of Brazilian Churrascaria Dinner Eating Experience: $125
  • BBQ Dinner & Cat Dancers Experience at Safari Park Hotel: $125

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.

  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $4.00
  • Dinner Cruise in Nile River with Belly Dancer show From Cairo: $4.00
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride: $6.30
  • Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $7.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $7.00
  • Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $7.20
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $8.00
  • 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.00
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Cairo $8.65
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:

  • Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
  • Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
  • Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
  • Nairobi City Walking Guided Tour: $18
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
  • Half Day Nairobi National Park Game Drive tour.: $22
  • Nairobi Artistic and Literary Walking Tour Experience: $22
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $23
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25

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
    $0.80
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.16

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • “Cairo Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & GEM Museum”: $160
  • "Private Half-Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids Saqqara and Memphis: $25
  • "The Great Pyramids & Grand Museum: Luxury Private Day Tour": $60
  • (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
  • 01 Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $246
  • 01 Day Tour to Pyramids , Museum and Khan Elkhalili: $217
  • 01 Day Tour to Pyramids Of Giza Memphis And Sakkara: $86
  • 1 Day Private Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $100
  • 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
  • 1 Day tour to Giza pyramids Memphis city Dahshur and Saqqara pyramids: $15
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour Around Giza Pyramids: $30
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Cairo $1.41

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

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: $70

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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