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

Should you visit Nairobi or Dahab?

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 Dahab 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 Dahab?

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.

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

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, Dahab 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 Dahab is $26. 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 Dahab in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Dahab $9.31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Dahab $19
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Dahab

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Dahab? 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 Dahab


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 Dahab Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Dahab $3.10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
  • Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $42
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
  • Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
  • Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $40
  • Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
  • Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42
  • Saint paul and saint anthony monastery​ private transfer: $69
  • Private Transfer To/From Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer Dahab Hotel to Sharm ElSheikh Airport : $32
  • Private Transfer Between Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $60
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Dahab?

Prices for flights to both Dahab 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
    Dahab $13
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • 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
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class and Dining Experience: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers : $100
  • Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
  • Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant Lunch / Dinner Experience: $125
  • Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $135

Typical Food Prices in Dahab

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


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $2.00
  • Juice
    $0.11
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39
  • Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Dahab $6.56
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:

  • Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
  • Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
  • Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
  • Local Lunch and Beer Tasting Experience: $90
  • Nairobi National Park Morning Or Evening Game Drive 4x4 Tour Van: $50
  • Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
  • Private 4WD Lake Nakuru Day Tour from Nairobi: $190
  • 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha : $139
  • 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
  • 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $46
  • 1-Day Hiking Adventure at Mount Longonot from Nairobi: $170
  • 2 Days Group Safari to Amboseli using a Landcruiser 4x4 Jeep: $260

Tours and Activities in Dahab

For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Camel Trek Desert and Beach Experience Private Tour in Dahab: $140
  • 2 Day Hiking Canyoning Tour Colored and Wishwashi in Sinai: $72
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $43
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
  • Astronomy and Bedouin Culture group Tour in sharm with Pickup: $140
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Adventure in Dahab: $195
  • Cairo pyramids tour from Hurghada Small group HurghadaToGo: $60
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $49
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $60
  • Dahab's Kept Secrets 5 Adventures in 1 Tour: $25
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Dahab $3.89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Dahab, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.

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


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Dahab?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Dahab, 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.