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

Should you visit Nairobi or Jinja?

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 Jinja 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 Jinja?

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.

Jinja

Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda.


Which place is cheaper, Jinja or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $62, while the average daily cost in Jinja is $94. 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 Jinja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Jinja $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Jinja $90
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Jinja

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Jinja? 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 Jinja


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 Jinja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Jinja $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $20
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
  • Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
  • Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels : $55
  • Bush Safaris and Airport transfers: $85
  • From 3-Day Saltlick Lodge Safari with Transfers: $1,000
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: Airport transfers: $50
  • Kenya: Adventure, and Cultural Tours with Transfers: $33
  • Masai Mara from Nairobi Transfer: $179
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
  • NBO:Jomo Kenyatta Airport Arrivals Private Transfer: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Jinja?

Prices for flights to both Jinja 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 $7.52
    Jinja $29
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 1 Hour Gastronomic and Street Food tour of Nairobi: $31
  • Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi: $40
  • Cooking Class with Local Organic Market Visit: $40
  • Cooking Class with Market Visit and Delicious food: $40
  • Experience the Taste of Nairobi:A Hands-On Cooking Adventure: $44
  • Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $49
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $55
  • Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Jinja $29
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:

  • Kibera Slum (The Chocolate city)Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
  • Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
  • Nairobi cultural shopping experience: $18
  • Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $20
  • Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $22
  • Nairobi City;Culture and Historical guided tour: $23
  • Nairobi;Downtown walking tour: $24
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25
  • Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $25
  • Nairobi Downtown walks and Experiences: $25
  • Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Jinja

Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 DAY BEST OF RIVER NILE WHITE WATER RAFTING TOUR IN JINJA: $590
  • 1 DAY JINJA TOUR.: $350
  • 1 Day Best Jinja Tour & source of the Nile River Experience.: $220
  • 1-DAY BEST JINJA & SOURCE OF RIVER NILE TOUR: $220
  • 1-day Source of River Nile Cruise Tour: $300
  • 18 Days African Jungle Safari Tour: $9,433
  • 2-Day tour to Source of River Nile, Busowoko & Water Rafting: $948
  • 3days jinja and sipi falls tour: $800
  • 4 DAY BEST OF UGANDA SIPI FALLS & SOURCE OF RIVER NILE TOUR: $1,433
  • David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
  • Day Tour of Jinja and Source of the Nile: $260
  • From Entebbe: 3-Day Eastern Uganda Tour with Nile Cruise: $1,000

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Jinja $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:

  • Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Jinja, we can see that Jinja 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 Jinja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinja 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 Jinja Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Jinja?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Jinja. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Jinja, 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.