Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Madrid?
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 Madrid 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 Madrid?
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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $61Madrid $146
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $61, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $146. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $11Madrid $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $22Madrid $166
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Madrid? 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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $10Madrid $20
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$9.08
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
- Nairobi Airport: 1-Way Transfer to Maasai Mara Reserve: $495
- Nairobi Airport: 1-Way Transfer to Maasai Mara Reserve: $495
- Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
- Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Lake Nakuru with Transfer Included: $189
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Nairobi Airports Private Transfers: $100
- Nairobi National Park Game Drive and Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vehicle transfer with driver included in Madrid: $142
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Madrid APT-HTL (MAD): $61
- Transfer to Madrid, travel calmly and comfortably: $145
- Transfer to Barajas Airport from Madrid: $76
- Transfer in private vehicle from Madrid City - Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): $61
- Transfer in private minivan from Madrid City - Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): $75
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) - Madrid City: $61
- Transfer from Barajas Airport to Madrid: $95
- Shuttle Transfer Arrivals: Madrid Airport to City Center: $140
- Segovia: Full-Day Tour with Transfer to and from Madrid: $452
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Madrid Airport (MAD) - Madrid city: $121
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Madrid Airport (MAD) - Madrid City: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 $7.35Madrid $36
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$4.92
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 Restaurant Dinner Experience.: $32
- Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $48
- Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $54
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.14
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Ice Cream$3.21
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Kebabs (for 2)$17
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Croissant$1.61
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $43
- Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $53
- San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $53
- Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $53
- Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $53
- Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $53
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $53
- Madrid Tapas Dinner Party with Guide: $54
- Traditional Paella & Sangría Workshop & Spanish Dinner in Madrid: $54
- The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
- Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $61
- Madrid San Miguel Market and City Center Street Food Tour: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $45Madrid $36
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:
- Amboseli Day tour from Nairobi Private tour: $290
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Nairobi National Park Group Joining Daily Tour: $138
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private Full Day Safari Adventure at Nairobi National Park : $250
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- half Day TOURS/NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK/ELEPHANT & GIRAFFE CENTRE: $90
- "Nairobi's Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Adventure: $40
- (Free Pickup) Nairobi National Park Game Drive-Half Day Tour: $44
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Madrid Photo Tour with Pro Photographer Lifestyle and Portrait: $82
- Madrid Tour and Guided Visit Royal Palace: $76
- Prado Museum and Madrid Royal Palace Morning Guided Tour: $71
- Skip the Line Guided Tour Royal Palace Madrid: $72
- Toledo with Cathedral from Madrid Full Day Tour: $134
- Ávila & Segovia Day Tour from Madrid: $163
- 1 Hour Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $98
- 1 hour tour in Madrid in Tuk Tuk through the best of the city: $137
- 1-Hour Private Flamenco Class in Madrid Experience: $45
- 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.37
- 2-Hour Tour of the Madrid of Mysteries: $14
- 2-Hour Walking Tour on the History of Islamic Medieval the origins: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $15Madrid $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.36
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$14
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.69
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
- Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting Experience: $50
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Madrid, 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.