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

Should you visit Nairobi or Hermanus?

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 Hermanus 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 Hermanus?

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.

Hermanus

Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Hermanus 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 Hermanus is $110. 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 Hermanus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Hermanus $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Hermanus $56
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Hermanus

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Hermanus? 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 Hermanus


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 Hermanus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Hermanus $9.28
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:

  • Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
  • Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers to City Hotels or Wilson Airport: $24
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport or City Hotels: $28
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
  • From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
  • Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Hermanus?

Prices for flights to both Hermanus 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
    Hermanus $77
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
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Hermanus -
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:

  • Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $10
  • Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
  • Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
  • Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Nairobi Artistic and Literary Walking Tour Experience: $22
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $23
  • Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:

  • Fatbike Dune tours in the Walker Bay nature reserve: $77
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $291
  • Hermanus Cliff Walk History Tour - a walk back in time: $22
  • Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $150
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Tour with Dave de Beer: $94
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $92
  • Township Tour: $50
  • Morning Fatbike Dune Tour: $88
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $173
  • Sunset Fatbike Dune Experience: $88
  • The Best of Cape Town Whale Watching Full Day Tour and Transport: $269
  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from 15th JUNE 2026: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Hermanus -

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 Hermanus

Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide: $64
  • Unguided Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $79


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hermanus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hermanus than you might in Nairobi.

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


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Hermanus?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Hermanus, 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.