Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth?
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.
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, and The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Port Elizabeth $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Port Elizabeth is $44. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Port Elizabeth $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Port Elizabeth $46
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Port Elizabeth
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Port Elizabeth $9.56
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$9.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $20
- Private Transfer from Airport to Accommodation: $21
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $24
- Nairobi Airport Transfers- Arrivals & Private Transfers: $24
- Nairobi NBO Airport One-Way Transfers: $25
- Nairobi Airport One-Way Transfers: $25
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $26
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Port Elizabeth?
Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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 $7.63Port Elizabeth $14
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$5.11
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
- Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
- Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
- The Carnivore Restaurant Experience: Lunch Or Dinner: $84
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Port Elizabeth $9.37
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$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
- Nairobi cultural shopping experience: $18
- Nairobi City;culture and historical guided tour: $19
- Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $19
- Nairobi;Downtown walking tour: $20
- Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $25
- From Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour: $25
- Memorable Daily KIBERA Slums/Toi Market Tour with Locals (2 hours): $25
- Kibera slums half day tour from nairobi: $25
- Nairobi City tour: $25
- Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $25
- Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,543
- Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $175
- From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $543
- Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $44
- Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $70
- Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $127
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Port Elizabeth $2.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Port Elizabeth, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Port Elizabeth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port Elizabeth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port Elizabeth 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Port Elizabeth.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Port Elizabeth Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Port Elizabeth?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Port Elizabeth. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Port Elizabeth, 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.