Which place is cheaper, Melbourne 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 Melbourne?
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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne?
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.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesMelbourne Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Melbourne $210
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $210. 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 Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Melbourne $128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Melbourne $256
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Melbourne $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:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $54
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $99
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $292
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$11
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Tram Ride$2.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
- Sydney Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD/ Other Suburbs: $96
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $80
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $80
- Private Transfer CBD to Melbourne Airport (Sedan, SUV, or Van): $108
- Private Melbourne Airport Transfers To City (Sedan, SUV, or Van): $108
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $93
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $85
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $93
- Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $69
- Mt Buller 1 Day Snow Tour (Direct Transfer To Mt Buller Village From Melbourne): $103
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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 $13Melbourne $56
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 Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.81
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Pizza$4.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melbourne Flavors: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $40
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $86
- Melbourne Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $88
- Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
- Melbourne Flavours Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $108
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Yarra Valley Full Day Grazing Tour: Gin, Wine, Pizza, Cheese: $125
- Spanish Hands on Cooking Class: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Melbourne $29
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 Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour Sight seeing Melbourne River Cruise on historic vessel: $27
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $157
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $843
- 2 Days and 1 Night Great Ocean Road (Melbourne Chinese Tour): $244
- 2-Hour Farm Experience in Gateway Yarra Valley: $72
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $72
- 4D3N Best Bits Victoria Sightseeing Tour: $992
- 5 Days 4 Nights: Melbourne Package tour: $1,323
- Art Tour of Melbourne: $93
- ArtVo Immersive Gallery Experience: $25
- Aussie Football MCG Matchday Experience with a Local: $158
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Melbourne $18
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 Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $19
- Saturday Melbourne Bar Crawl: $19
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
- Rock'n'roll venues pub crawl including 2 free drinks and history: $57
- Relaxed Half Day Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Melbourne: $78
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times: $85
- New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting: $93
- Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
- Discover Hidden Wineries in Melbourne Boutique Wine Tour Series: $118
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne is in Pacific, 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Melbourne, 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.