Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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 Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Koh Phi Phi $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $95. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Koh Phi Phi $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Koh Phi Phi $100
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Koh Phi Phi $7.93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
- Nairobi National Park Game Drive and Transfer: $95
- Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $80
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
- Nairobi - Maasai Mara Shuttle Transfers. : $61
- Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59
- Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels : $55
- Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
-
Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$17
-
Longboat Taxi$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $29
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $13Koh Phi Phi $23
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.00
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 and Dining Experience: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers : $100
- Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
- Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
- Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant Lunch / Dinner Experience: $125
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $135
Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
-
Crepe$1.88
-
Sit Down Lunch$11
-
Casual Lunch$6.59
-
Coconut Donut$0.31
-
Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$13
-
Sit Down Dinner$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- International Dinner & Cabaret Show - Ala Carte Package: $22
- International Dinner & Cabaret Show - Set Menu Package: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Koh Phi Phi $52
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:
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Local Lunch and Beer Tasting Experience: $90
- Nairobi National Park Morning Or Evening Game Drive 4x4 Tour Van: $50
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private 4WD Lake Nakuru Day Tour from Nairobi: $190
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha : $139
- 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
- 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $46
- 1-Day Hiking Adventure at Mount Longonot from Nairobi: $170
- 2 Days Group Safari to Amboseli using a Landcruiser 4x4 Jeep: $260
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Kayak Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Activities In & Around Phuket: Full Day Customizable Tour : $110
- 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $184
- Banana Beach Premium: Shared Tour: $137
- Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $65
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $15
- Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall Tour in Thailand: $99
- Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $110
- Half-Day Morning Bamboo Island Tour from Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
- Half-Day Phi Phi Island Longtail Boat Tour with Maya Bay Visit: $19
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
- Maya Bay Sleep aboard Tour From Phi Phi: $143
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $31
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Koh Phi Phi $6.51
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
-
Mojito Bucket$16
-
Banana Daiquiri$6.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Koh Phi Phi?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 2750 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Koh Phi Phi, 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.