Which place is cheaper, Kampala 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 Kampala?
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 Kampala 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 Kampala?
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.
Kampala
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, and The Best Safaris in Uganda.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesKampala Prices
Uganda Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Kampala $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Kampala is $76. 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 Kampala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Kampala $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Kampala $120
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Kampala
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Kampala? 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 Kampala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Kampala $2.52
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:
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels: $55
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Airport transfers: $180
- Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
- Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$4.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Uganda Equator Line tour in Kayabwe with Lunch & transfers: $140
- The best Half day Kampala City Tour with Transfers: $110
- Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $80
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $80
- Private Entebbe Airport Transfer Pick-Up and Drop-off 24/7: $80
- Private Airport & In-Country Transfers in Central Uganda: $60
- Full-Day Kampala City Highlights Tour, Lunch & private Transfers: $156
- Entebbe Kampala Airport Transfer: $55
- Entebbe Airport pickup (Entebbe - Kampala) reliable 24/7 transfer: $48
- Airport Transfer from Entebbe to Kampala: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Kampala?
Prices for flights to both Kampala 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 $13Kampala $15
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:
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- The Carnivore Restaurant Experience in Lunch or Dinner: $116
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $120
Typical Food Prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Cooking class Experience in Kampala Uganda: $35
- Matoke Moments Kampala Food Tour 12+ Tastings: $49
- Private Ugandan Food Cooking Class and Culture Experience: $55
- Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
- Kampala Local Cooking Experience: $80
- Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
- Fishing Village Food Tour & Luwombo Stop: $119
- Kampala cooking tour: $133
- Kampala food tour: $205
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Kampala -
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:
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
- Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $20
- Half Day Nairobi National Park Game Drive tour.: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi History, Culture and Modern City Walking Tour: $22
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Best of Entebbe City Guided Walking Tour: $30
- 1 Day Jinja & Source of the Nile River tour (female guided): $230
- 1 Day Jinja and Source of the Nile River Tour: $200
- 1 Day Jinja source of the Nile tour: $290
- 1 Day Kampala City Tour: $290
- 1 Day Ngamba Island chimpanzee tour: $270
- 1 Day Shoebill Stork and Birding Experience: $190
- 1 Day Uganda Equator Tour From Kampala To Kayabwe: $200
- 1 Day Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Safari and Wildlife Tour, Uganda: $300
- 1 day kampala tour: $205
- 1-Day Bird Watching Tour at Entebbe Botanical Gardens: $256
- 1-Day Jinja & River Nile Tour(Women-Guided-Experience): $179
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Kampala -
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
When comparing the travel costs between Nairobi and Kampala, we can see that Kampala 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 Kampala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Kampala?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Kampala, 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.