Which place is cheaper, Durban or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Durban?
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 Durban 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 Durban?
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.
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Durban $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Durban is $52. 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 Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Durban $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Durban $48
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Durban
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Durban? 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 Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Durban $13
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$9.43
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
- Nairobi Airport: 1-Way Transfer to Maasai Mara Reserve: $495
- Nairobi Airport: 1-Way Transfer to Maasai Mara Reserve: $495
- Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
- Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Lake Nakuru with Transfer Included: $189
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Return Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $107
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $32
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $35
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $500
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $39
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
- Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
- Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Business Car: $78
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Durban?
Prices for flights to both Durban 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 $7.63Durban $16
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 Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
- Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $87
- The Safari Cats Show Tickets & Buffet Dinner: $89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban
For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Durban $16
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:
- 3 Days 2 Nights in Maasai Mara Safari Tour: $220
- Amboseli Day tour from Nairobi Private tour: $290
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Nairobi National Park Drive in 4*4 Landcruiser: $200
- Nairobi National Park Group Joining Daily Tour: $138
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- Tour Giraffe Centre, David Shedrick, Karen Blixen & city tour.: $110
- Tour Hells gate National park day tour: $150
- half Day TOURS/NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK/ELEPHANT & GIRAFFE CENTRE: $90
- "Nairobi's Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Adventure: $40
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 1/2 Day Durban City & Phezulu Tour From Durban: $149
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $122
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $155
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $145
- 1/2 Day Phezulu Safari Tour from Durban: $149
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $151
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park Tour from Durban: $151
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $150
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $152
- 12 Days Best Of South Africa Tour - Johannesburg to CapeTown: $3,353
- 15 Day Tour Cape Town to Johannesburg: $3,151
- 2 Day Hluhluwe Imfolo & Isimangaliso W/Park Tour from Durban: $634
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Durban $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Durban
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl in Durban : $36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Durban, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Durban.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Durban Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Durban?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Durban, 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.