Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesMadrid Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Madrid $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $184. 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 $12Madrid $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Madrid $176
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 $11Madrid $21
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$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $292
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $99
- Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
- Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$30
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: $153
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Madrid APT-HTL (MAD): $68
- Shuttle Transfer Arrivals: Madrid Airport to City Center: $212
- Seamless Madrid Airport Transfer One Way or Round Trip Options: $41
- Private transfer from Madrid airport to Madrid city center.: $93
- Private transfer from Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $92
- Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
- Private tour of Prado & Reina Sofía, tickets and transfer included: $288
- Private Transfers Madrid Airport to Central Madrid: $50
- Private Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $89
- Private Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Car: $120
- Private Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Business Car: $84
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 $13Madrid $67
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:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- 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
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.28
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Ice Cream$3.42
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Kebabs (for 2)$18
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Croissant$1.71
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $65
- Small-Group Food Tour with Local Tapas & Spanish Wine: $69
- Small-Group Food Tour with Tapas, Wine & Vermouth: $74
- Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $76
- 10 Tapas Cooking Class Experience in Madrid with Sangria: $87
- Guided Food Tour of Tapas, Ham, Olive Oil & Vermouth: $89
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $91
- Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food Tour: $93
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $94
- The Best Flamenco in Madrid Show with Dinner and Drink: $97
- Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $105
- Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Madrid $38
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:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hell's Gate Bicycle Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $280
- 1 Day Purple Farm Tour from Nairobi Tea Tasting and Lunch: $295
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
- 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
- 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Joining Safari With Guided Tour: $250
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
- 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
- 3 day Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4 x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $220
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Ávila & Segovia Day Trip From Madrid with Monument Tickets: $116
- 2 Hour Madrid City Expert Tour: $199
- 2 Hour Private Panoramic Tuk Tuk Tour: $200
- 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $118
- 3 Hour Private Bike Tour in Madrid with a Guide: $176
- 3-hour experience on the Redován K2 Family Via Ferrata: $49
- 30 Minutes of Jet Ski Adventure on the Coast of Alicante: $106
- 3h Prado Museum Private Tour Skip the Line & Hotel Pick-up: $209
- A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption: $5.00
- A local's A self-guided audio tour: $12
- Alcalá de Henares Private Tour from Madrid: $252
- Alcala de Henares and Cervantes Guided Tour from Madrid: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Madrid $22
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
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$5.70
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl: VIP Entry & Shots, Games (Kapital, Fitz, Shoko): $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $29
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $54
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $73
- Rooftop Bar Crawl Madrid Experience: $76
- New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $81
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Spanish Wine Tasting and Tapas Tour: $100
- Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $101
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour with Rooftop Views and Local Guide: $115
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.