Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Ho Chi Minh City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Ho Chi Minh City?
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 Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City?
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.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $53Ho Chi Minh City $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $53, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $84. 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 Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $9.89Ho Chi Minh City $51
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $20Ho Chi Minh City $102
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Ho Chi Minh City? 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 Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $9.13Ho Chi Minh City $16
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: $945
- Private Transfer from Masai Mara to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $945
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $870
- 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
- Airport transfers: $180
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
Typical Local Transportation prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Short Taxi Ride$1.44
-
Taxi From Airport$8.24
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vinpearl Resort & Spa Long Beach to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $24
- Try find better than us! Airport Transfer in Ho Chi Minh HTL-APT (SGN): $19
- Try find better than us! Airport Transfer in Ho Chi Minh APT-HTL (SGN): $19
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Airport Tan Sơn Nhat: $24
- Transfer - Ho Chi Minh Airport to Center (District 1,3): $16
- The Anam Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport Transfer: $23
- Tan Son Nhat Airport: Private Transfer to/from Ho Chi Minh: $22
- Tan Son Nhat Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Ho Chi Minh City: $17
- Tan Son Airport Arrival Private Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City: $32
- Swandor Cam Ranh Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City 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 dayNairobi $6.40Ho Chi Minh City $15
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
- Traditional Ugali cooking class in Nairobi: $50
- 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
Typical Food prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.41
-
Pizza$5.36
-
Sweet Rice$1.24
-
Pork Sandwich$0.62
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.99
-
Western Lunch (for Two)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- 2 Hour Ho Chi Minh Guided Street Food Tour: $16
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour by Motorbike/ Car with Student : $19
- 4-Hour Private Saigon Food Tour on Scooter by Night: $25
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike with Local Student: $25
- Saigon: Private Backstreets walking Food Tour w 10+ Tastings: $25
- Eleven-Tastings Food Tour by Scooter: $26
- Top Niche Walking Street Food Tour with Uni Student: $26
- (Top Rated) Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike +SAFE & FUN: $26
- Walking Street Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City: $27
- Ho Chi Minh: Thirteen-Tastings Private Walking Food Tour: $28
- Saigon Food Tour By Scooter: $28
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $40Ho Chi Minh City $21
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 Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Massage$5.77
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- 5 days Southern Vietnam tour : $569
- Cu Chi Tunnels half day tours: $39
- From Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne 3 Days Tour | 4 Star Beach Resort : $170
- Half Day Private Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $70
- Mekong Delta Discovery Day Tour - My Tho - Ben Tre: $46
- Mekong Delta Discovery Luxury Day Tours: $49
- Mekong Vespa Tour 5 hours: $92
- Non-Touristy Mekong Delta with Biking in Ben Tre Private Tour: $40
- Private Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour: $65
- Private Mekong Tour 2 days: Ben Tre coconut town & Cai Rang floating market: $234
- Private Tour Water Puppet Show And Cruise Tour On Saigon River : $65
- SHORE EXCURSION from CHAN MAY Port to visit HOI AN CITY & HOI AN VILLAGE TOUR : $150
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $13Ho Chi Minh City $8.23
Typical Alcohol prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Beer$0.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, 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 Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City than you might in Nairobi.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is bigger, and its population is about 26% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the population of Nairobi vs. Ho Chi Minh City, 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.
Related Articles for Nairobi
Related Articles for Ho Chi Minh City
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.
More City Comparisons
Tehran vs. NairobiTehran vs. Ho Chi Minh City
Zanzibar vs. Nairobi
Zanzibar vs. Ho Chi Minh City
Nairobi vs. Kampala
Nairobi vs. Amman
Nairobi vs. Santorini
Nairobi vs. Mykonos
Nairobi vs. Athens
Nairobi vs. Beirut
Nairobi vs. Jerusalem
Nairobi vs. Doha
Nairobi vs. Dubai
Nairobi vs. Abu Dhabi
Nairobi vs. Tel Aviv
Nairobi vs. Antalya
Nairobi vs. Ankara
Nairobi vs. Addis Ababa
Nairobi vs. Cairo
Nairobi vs. Alexandria
Nairobi vs. Rhodes
Nairobi vs. Riga
Nairobi vs. Saint Petersburg
Nairobi vs. Moscow
Nairobi vs. Tallinn
Nairobi vs. Vilnius
Nairobi vs. Tbilisi
Nairobi vs. Minsk
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.