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 $67, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $110. 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 $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Osaka $96
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 $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.23

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
  • Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $42
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
  • Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
  • Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $40
  • Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
  • Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Universal Studios Japan Transfer to or from Osaka English Driver: $150
  • Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $108
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $120
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $107
  • Shared Arrival Transfer : Kansai International Airport to Kyoto City: $135
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe: $153
  • Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $179
  • Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $104
  • Private arrival transfer from Osaka Itami International airport to Kyoto City: $83
  • Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $97
  • Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $126

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 $45
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.00

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 and Dining Experience: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers : $100
  • Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
  • Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant Lunch / Dinner Experience: $125
  • Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $135

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $42
  • Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
  • Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $52
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $56
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $56
  • Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $56
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $63
  • 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $69
  • Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Osaka $21
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:

  • Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
  • Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
  • Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
  • Local Lunch and Beer Tasting Experience: $90
  • Nairobi National Park Morning Or Evening Game Drive 4x4 Tour Van: $50
  • Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
  • Private 4WD Lake Nakuru Day Tour from Nairobi: $190
  • 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha : $139
  • 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
  • 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $46
  • 1-Day Hiking Adventure at Mount Longonot from Nairobi: $170
  • 2 Days Group Safari to Amboseli using a Landcruiser 4x4 Jeep: $260

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)
    $31

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
  • Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
  • Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $243
  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $75
  • 1 Day Takoyaki Making and Osaka Castle Walking Tour: $146
  • 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $165
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
  • 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $167
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $125
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75
  • A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Osaka $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $38
  • Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $56


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.