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

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Should you visit Nairobi or Dubai?

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 Dubai 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 Dubai?

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.

Dubai

Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.

Which place is cheaper, Dubai or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $53, while the average daily cost in Dubai is $248. 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 Dubai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $9.89
    Dubai $170
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $20
    Dubai $340
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Dubai

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Dubai? 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 Dubai


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 Dubai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $9.13
    Dubai $13
Typical Local Transportation prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • From 7-Day Kenya Safari Trip with Meals & Transfer: $1,800
  • 4 by 4 land cruiser and Jeep transfer to Maasai mara Hotels: $960
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Masai Mara: $933
  • Private Transfer from Masai Mara to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $933
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $859
  • Nairobi Airport: 1-Way Transfer to Maasai Mara Reserve: $495
  • Masai Mara Transfer From Nairobi on 4 X 4 Toyota Land-Cruiser - Daily Departures: $475
  • Private Luxury car hire for transfer from Nairobi to Arusha: $333
  • Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
  • Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
  • Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $194
  • Airport transfers: $180

Typical Local Transportation prices in Dubai

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

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

  • Zipline Experience in Dubai Marina with 1 way Private transfers: $265
  • Zipline Dubai Marina - XLine With Private Transfer : $285
  • Yellow Boat Tour Dubai With Private Transfers: $102
  • Yellow Boat Ride in Dubai with Private Transfers: $110
  • Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi on Sharing Transfer: $80
  • Xline Dubai Marina Zipline Experience With Transfers Option: $315
  • Xline Dubai Marina Zip line Experience With Transfers Option: $243
  • Xline Dubai Marina Shared Experience with Private Transfers: $265
  • X Line Ride in Dubai Marina with Optional Private Transfers: $310
  • Wild Wadi tickets with Transfers: $87
  • Wild Wadi Waterpark with One-Way Transfer: $140
  • Wild Wadi Waterpark tickets with Private transfer: $154

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Dubai?

Prices for flights to both Dubai 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 $6.40
    Dubai $56
Typical Food prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.29

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
  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $54
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $54
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $58
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76

Typical Food prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.53
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

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

  • Sunset Deira Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Entertainment: $12
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner Deira Creek: $13
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner in Deira Creek - Dubai: $15
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
  • Romantic Dhow Creek Dinner Cruise With Live Shows and International Buffet : $15
  • Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Creek: $15
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek: $17
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $17
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $17
  • Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $40
    Dubai $19
Typical Entertainment prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $13

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

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

  • 11 Days Guided Africa Wildlife Photography Tours: $5,739
  • 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $50
  • 2 Days Private Tour to Lake Nakuru and Hell's Gate Park: $345
  • 2 Days: Lake Naivasha, Hells Gate & Lake Nakuru Tour: $287
  • 3 Days 2 Nights in Maasai Mara Safari Tour: $340
  • 4 Days/3 Nights Adventure in Maasai Mara – Lake Nakur: $923
  • 5 Days Big Five Safari Tour in Kenya: $1,067
  • 6 Days /5 Nights Adventure in Masai Mara,Lake Nakuru, Amboseli: $1,375
  • 6 Days Private Tour to Lake Nakuru National Park in Maasai Mara: $2,400
  • Coffee Farm tour from Nairobi: $90
  • Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
  • Day Tour Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Chimpanzee Sanctuary : $360

Typical Entertainment prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.

  • 30-Minutes Jet Ski Burj Al Arab Tour of Dubai: $125
  • 60 Minutes Dubai Yellow Boat Marina Tour: $74
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour in 4x4 Private Vehicle : $339
  • Abu Dhabi Private City Tour with Ferrari World Entry Ticket: $98
  • Abu Dhabi Private tour with professional drive : $299
  • Burj Khalifa At the Top & Sky Views Ticket: $91
  • Burj Khalifa Tour - Top Sky Ticket 124, 125 & 148 Floor Level Access : $165
  • Burj Khalifa at the Top Ticket: $52
  • DXB Tour and Aquaventure water park & lost Chambers PRIVATE tour: $215
  • Day Tour Of Dubai Hot Air Balloon: $355
  • Desert Safari Tour with Private Rooms for stay near Dubai: $1,950
  • Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Dubai $23

Typical Alcohol prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $63
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
  • Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Dubai, we can see that Dubai 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 Dubai is in Middle East, 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Nairobi.

Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Dubai?

Nairobi is bigger, and its population is about 2.4 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the population of Nairobi vs. Dubai, 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 and the activities 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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Nairobi vs. Dubai Travel Comparison

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