Which place is cheaper, Phuket or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Phuket?
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 Phuket 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 Phuket?
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.
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesPhuket Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Phuket $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Phuket 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 Phuket in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Phuket $62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Phuket $124
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Phuket
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Phuket? 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 Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Phuket $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
- Airport Transfer in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels: $55
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
- Nairobi Airport Transfers: $69
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport and Hotels: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.08
-
Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplines 30 platforms & Private Transfer RoundTrips: $92
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $78
- Zipline and ATV Skyline Adventure Phuket Include Pickup Transfer: $42
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NATAI BEACH: $56
- Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel: $92
- Thailand Private Airport Transfer Multi-City by Explera DMC: $44
- TAXI AIRPORT TRANSFER to RASSADA PIER: $47
- Speedboat Transfer Phuket to Phi Phi, Tonsai Pier: $31
- Speedboat Transfer From Phuket To Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi: $47
- Speedboat Racha and Coral Island Transfer and meals from Phuket: $59
- Sky Rock Khao Lak Jungle Zipline Adventure with Transfer: $56
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket – Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Phuket?
Prices for flights to both Phuket 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 dayNairobi $13Phuket $42
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
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:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- 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
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.75
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.14
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
-
Thai Noodles$2.72
-
Bananas$0.76
-
Pizza (for Two)$9.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $52
- Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Option in Bang Tao Phuket: $53
- Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht: $54
- Coral Island Premium Yacht Half Day Tour with Sunset Dinner: $55
- Simply Thai Cooking Experience: $56
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $56
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $56
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $58
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $59
- Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $62
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $62
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Phuket $47
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:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
- Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
- Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $23
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
- Memorable Daily KIBERA Slums/Toi Market Tour with Locals (2 hours): $25
- Nairobi City Tour: $25
- Nairobi History, Culture and Modern City Walking Tour: $25
- Nairobi city walking tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour$27
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$76
-
Thai Oil Massage$19
-
Surfboard Rental$9.08
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Phuket ATV on Tour + Big Buddha: $44
- 1-Hour Quad Bike ATV Ride – Ultimate Adventure: $59
- 12 Islands Overnight Tour: $202
- 2 Day Tour to James Bond Islands, Krabi and Phi Phi: $169
- 2 Days 1 Night Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour from Phuket: $233
- 2 Hours ATV Riding in Phuket (Popular Tour): $89
- 3 Hour Zipline Adventure Park Experience: 65 Platforms: $105
- 3 Khai Islands Tour- Snorkel, Swim & Relax (Half or Full Day): $33
- 3-Dive Discover Scuba Diving Tour in Phuket for Beginners: $155
- 3-Island Speedboat Tour: Racha Noi, Racha Yai & Maiton: $112
- 4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition: $78
- 4 Hours Jet Ski Experience Hopping To 9 Islands in Phuket: $233
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Phuket $7.05
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)$6.05
-
Beer$2.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $22
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $40
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $87
- Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint: $95
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $133
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Phuket, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Phuket?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Phuket, 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.