Which place is cheaper, Durban or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesDurban Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Durban $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Durban is $73. 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 $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Durban $56
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 $15
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$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Airport transfers: $180
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $135
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Private Shuttle Van Transfer: $100
- Nairobi Airports Private Transfers: $100
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $124
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $50
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $54
- Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $67
- Durban to Durban Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
- Durban Private Airport Arrival Transfer: $67
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers: $53
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- Departure Private Transfer Durban to Durban Airport DUR by Sedan: $99
- 1-3 Passenger Durban - Airport Transfer: $55
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 $13Durban $32
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$5.02
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
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- 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
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120
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: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Durban $19
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$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
- 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
- 2 Days Tour :Mt.Longonot Hiking TOUR &Hells Gate Bicycle Riding: $200
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $210
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Witness the Jungle Experience: $270
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4 x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $220
- 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 1 Day Safari Tala Game Reserve Phezulu and Market Tour in Durban: $226
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $144
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $181
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $190
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $191
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $191
- 1000hills Phezulu cultural Tour : 4hours,Cost R3150pp,2pax /more: $161
- 5-Day Zululand Tour of Drakensberg, Hluhluwe & Isimangaliso: $1,731
- A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $214
- Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift Battle Day Tour From Durban: $279
- Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, 1 Day Tour from Durban: $280
- Battlefields Tour (Anglo-Zulu) 1879, Rorkes drift & Isandlwana: $241
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Durban $15
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 Durban
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Stellenbosch and Franschoek Winelands Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour: $276
When comparing the travel costs between Nairobi and Durban, we can see that Durban is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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.