Which place is cheaper, Mombasa 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 Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa?
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.
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesMombasa Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Mombasa $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Mombasa is $81. 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 Mombasa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Mombasa $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Mombasa $52
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Mombasa? 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 Mombasa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Mombasa $18
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$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi: $40
- Return Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $120
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $80
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $41
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Safe Private Airport Transfer in Mombasa: $19
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Nyali/Bamburi: $40
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $76
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $42
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Nairobi: Private Kibera Slum Tour with Roundtrip Transfer.: $29
- Mombasa Train Station Private Transfer to Kikambala/Vipingo: $63
- Mombasa Town: Private Airport Transfer to Hotel and AirBnB: $40
- Mombasa SGR Train Station Private transfer to Shanzu/Mtwapa: $55
- Mombasa Private Airport Transfer: Cheap & Comfortable: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Mombasa?
Prices for flights to both Mombasa 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 $13Mombasa $41
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:
- Nairobi, Kenya : Universal Cooking Classes: $34
- 1 Hour Gastronomic and Street Food tour of Nairobi: $40
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $48
- Cooking Class with Local Organic Market Visit: $50
- Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi: $50
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $50
- Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $51
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $63
- Authentic Kenyan Cooking Class & Market Tour in Nairobi: $63
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1-Hour city tour, food tour, cultural tour: $25
- Fort Jesus Sound & Lights Show And Romantic Dinner.: $39
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Fort Jesus Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $49
- Swahili food Cooking Class Experience: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $50
- Spicy Food Tour in Mombasa Streets And City tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Mombasa $18
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:
- 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $45
- 5 hours Nairobi national park Private tour: $80
- Amboseli Day trip friends only tour: $200
- Coffee Farm tour from Nairobi: $90
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Nairobi Giraffe Center Layover Tour with Pickup: $95
- Nairobi Guided City Tour: $70
- Nairobi National Park Group Joining Daily Tour: $138
- Private Half Day Tour in Giraffe Center, Bomas and Masai Market : $125
- Private Tour Nairobi national park & Giraffe Centre: $120
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $170
- Kongo River Sunset Experience in Canoe: $39
- Private Tour of Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa: $260
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $221
- Wasini Island Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Tour from Diani : $130
- 1 Day Malindi day Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $194
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour : $150
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $280
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Day tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $353
- Diani Beach Village Tour on a Bike with Hotel Pickup: $60
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Mombasa $8.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $20
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
Sample the Local Flavors in Mombasa
Also in Mombasa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Coastal Pub Crawl - Bamburi Drunk Tour: $25
- Mombasa Bar Crawl and Matatu Experience. Pickup from Diani Beach: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Mombasa, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Mombasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mombasa 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 Mombasa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Mombasa?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Mombasa, 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.