Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul?
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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Istanbul $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $161. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Istanbul $75
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Istanbul $150
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Istanbul? 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 Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Istanbul $35
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:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
- Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $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
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport or City Hotels: $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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Metro Cards$4.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Airport and Hotel Transfer: $60
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $88
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $53
- İstanbul Airport Transfer: $52
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer Services: $83
- istanbul Airport Transfer: $49
- Viaport Aquapark Ticket with Optional Hotel Transfer: $65
- VIP Transfer: $51
- VIP Private Transfer IST Airport ↔ City Center: $47
- VIP Airport Transfer: $53
- Turkish Night Tour with Meyhane Experience and Transfer: $117
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Istanbul HTL-APT (IST): $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 $13Istanbul $59
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $24
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows and Drinks: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $31
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Istanbul $39
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 Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $118
- "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $283
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $72
- 1, 2 Or 3 Days Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $160
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 10 Tastings of Istanbul Foodie Tour: $106
- 2 Full Days Guided Istanbul City Tour With Skip the Line Entry: $200
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $24
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise with Audio Guide: $14
- 2 Hours Small Group Guided Bosphorus Luxury Yacht Cruise: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Istanbul $11
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 Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul 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 Istanbul is in Europe, 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Istanbul, 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.