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

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.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $188. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Madrid $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Madrid $180
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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Madrid


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Madrid $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
  • Airport transfers: $180
  • Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
  • Private Shuttle Van Transfer: $100
  • Nairobi Airports Private Transfers: $100
  • Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
  • Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
  • Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
  • Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $80
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

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

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Madrid APT-HTL (MAD): $68
  • Transfer: Barajas Airport (MAD) to Madrid City Center: $31
  • Transfer from the Airport to Madrid: $142
  • Shuttle Transfer Arrivals: Madrid Airport to City Center: $212
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Madrid Airport (MAD): $79
  • Private transfer to Madrid Airport (MAD): $39
  • Private transfer from Madrid airport to Madrid city center.: $94
  • Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
  • Private one way Transfer from/to Madrid to/from Segovia: $147
  • Private Transfers Madrid Airport to Central Madrid: $50
  • Private Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Car: $127
  • Private Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Business Car: $88

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Madrid $69
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • 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:

  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
  • Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120

Typical Food Prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.33
  • Ice Cream
    $3.49
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $18
  • Croissant
    $1.75
  • 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:

  • Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $59
  • Madrid Paella and Churros Cooking Class Ham and Wines Tasting: $70
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $75
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $77
  • Madrid : Paella and Churros cooking class, ham and wines tasting: $77
  • Traditional Cooking Class of Sardines with Dish Auction in Madrid: $81
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $91
  • Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $100
  • Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $105
  • Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $105
  • Madrid Tapas & Paella Cooking Experience with Local Market Visit: $112
  • Madrid Food Tour Tasting the Heart of the City: $138

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Madrid $38
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:

  • 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
  • 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
  • 1 Day Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
  • 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
  • 2 Days Tour :Mt.Longonot Hiking TOUR &Hells Gate Bicycle Riding: $200
  • 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $210
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Witness the Jungle Experience: $270
  • 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4 x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $220
  • 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • "Prado Museum" Tour A Treasure of World Art: $3.54
  • 2 Days Guided Cultural Tour in Madrid Royal Palace and 3 Museums: $224
  • 2 Hour Madrid City Expert Tour: $199
  • 2-Hour Madrid Tapas Tour: Eat, Drink & Discover the Real Spain: $77
  • 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $118
  • 3-hour experience on the Redován K2 Family Via Ferrata: $49
  • 30 Minutes of Jet Ski Adventure on the Coast of Alicante: $106
  • A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption: $9.99
  • A local's A self-guided audio tour: $9.99
  • Alcalá de Henares Private Tour from Madrid: $252
  • Alcala World Heritage Tour: $12
  • Architour through Lavapiés and Rastro with an architect: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Madrid $23

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:


  • Beer
    $5.82
  • 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: Open Bar, Shots & VIP Entry (Shoko & Fitz): $14
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: Bars, Shots and Club Entry: $20
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $58
  • New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $81
  • Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
  • Old Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Tour - Real Small Groups 8 Max: $99
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour: Local Bars & Spanish Wine Tasting: $112
  • Eating Not Just Another Tapas and Wine Tour: $114
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour with Rooftop Views and Local Guide: $116
  • Toledo Tour & Vineyard Experience with Wine Tasting from Madrid: $130


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.