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

Should you visit Nairobi or Osaka?

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 Osaka 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 Osaka?

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.

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Osaka 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 Osaka is $104. 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 Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Osaka $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Osaka? 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 Osaka


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 Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Osaka $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • 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
  • Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
  • Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $7.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Universal Studios Japan Round Trip Shared Transfer with ticket: $207
  • Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport 10-seats van: $143
  • Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $110
  • Transfer from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Hotels: $108
  • Terminal-to-City Transfer, from Osaka Cruise Port to Each City: $117
  • Shin-Osaka Osaka Station Private Transfer To or From Osaka Hotels: $109
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $219
  • Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $169
  • Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $97
  • Private departure Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $67
  • Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $119
  • Private Transfer: Kansai Airport (KIX) to Osaka City: $104

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka 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
    Osaka $42
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.03

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
  • Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
  • Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
  • Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
  • Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
  • Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $32
  • Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
  • Osaka Food Tour: Customize Your Taste like an Osakan in Namba: $37
  • Japanese Breakfast Cooking in Osaka: $39
  • 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $42
  • 1 Group Only Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu and Ramen Takoyaki: $45
  • Kyoto Style Miso Soup and Chirashi Sushi Cooking Experience: $46
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $49
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $49
  • Deep Osaka Night Walking Tour with Optional Dinner: $51

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Osaka $20
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
  • 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
  • 1 night small group tour to Hells gate and Mount Longonot: $177
  • 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
  • 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
  • 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $215
  • 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295

Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $29

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $49
  • 10 Hours Private City Tour in Osaka - Chartered Tour: $174
  • 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $26
  • 2-Day Bus Tour to Shirakawago & Hida No Sato Winter Illumination: $227
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $115
  • 30-Minute Osaka Micro Pig Interaction Experience at Buta Goya: $16
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $71
  • 4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $156
  • 5 Hours Tour with Private Vehicle in Osaka: $260
  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • 90 min Shared Handmade Udon Experience: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Osaka $11

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl/ 22 Tapas 7 Drinks: $5.85
  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $22
  • Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $34
  • Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $42
  • 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
  • Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $84


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka is in Asia, 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Osaka?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Osaka, 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.