Which place is cheaper, Ottawa 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 Ottawa?
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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa?
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.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second. It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesOttawa Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Ottawa $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $134. 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 Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Ottawa? 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 Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Ottawa $7.21
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$9.23
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $218
- Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa 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 $13Ottawa $29
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$5.00
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 Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ottawa Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $77
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $78
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
- Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
- Guided ByWard Market Food Tour: $107
- A Taste of Canada Food Tour: $108
- Taste of Canada Food Tour with Guide: $113
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Ottawa $40
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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $58
- A Romantic Walking Tour Through Ottawa: $351
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $8.99
- Adventure Rafting on the Ottawa River: $160
- Aqua Taxi Hop-on and Hop-Off Tour: $18
- Beechwood Cemetery Evening Tour: Tales from the Mausoleum: $23
- Exceptional Walking Christmas Tour in Magical Ottawa: $458
- Experience Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour: $73
- Experience Walking Christmas Tour in Magical Ottawa: $236
- Family Walking Tour in Special Highlights: $351
- From Montreal: Private Ottawa Full Day Tour: $286
- Full Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour - Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
- Chelsea: Guided tour of the Square Distillery: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa 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 Ottawa is in North America, 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa 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 Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Ottawa?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Ottawa, 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.