Should you visit Nairobi or Rabat?
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 Rabat 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
Which place is cheaper, Rabat 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 Rabat is $53. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Rabat? 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
Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park:
$197
-
Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road:
$160
-
Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli:
$150
-
Return Airport Transfers in Nairobi:
$120
-
Private Shuttle Van Transfer:
$100
-
Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer:
$95
-
Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels:
$95
-
Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi:
$80
-
Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers:
$75
-
Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha:
$70
-
Airport Transfers in Nairobi City:
$70
-
Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels:
$50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer to or from rabat city service Vip airport:
$15
-
Transfer Rabat to Tetouan:
$152
-
Transfer Rabat to Salé:
$26
-
Transfer Rabat to Safi:
$198
-
Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport:
$23
-
Transfer Rabat to Essaouira:
$275
-
Transfer Rabat to El Jadida:
$129
-
Transfer Rabat to Agadir:
$251
-
Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier:
$281
-
Taxi Rabat Airport & Transfer:
$24
-
Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca:
$151
-
Rabat to Marrakech Private Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfy Ride Now:
$171
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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
Rabat $22
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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
-
Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience:
$60
-
Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi:
$65
-
Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience:
$68
-
Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch:
$68
-
Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local:
$76
-
Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel:
$90
-
The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport:
$97
-
Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner:
$100
-
Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi:
$100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Private Food Tour of Rabat’s Old Medina by Green Taxi:
$33
-
Taste the Medina Like a Local Rabat Food Tour:
$34
-
Express Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Rabat:
$40
-
Rabat Food Tour at Medina Local Tastings and Kasbah of the Udayas:
$46
-
Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ):
$51
-
Rabat Eats Food Tour with 15+ Tastings:
$59
-
Rabat Family Dinner Experience:
$63
-
Moroccan Cooking Class with Local Amazigh Family in Medina Rabat:
$65
-
Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class:
$67
-
Food Tour in Rabat with an Expert Guide Lunch or Dinner Include:
$67
-
cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs:
$69
-
Rabat Authentic Moroccan Cooking Class with Expert Chefs:
$70
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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 Hell's Gate Bicycle Tour (minimum 2 Pax):
$280
-
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 National Park:
$200
-
1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View:
$200
-
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 Group Safari Big Five Adventure from Nairobi:
$300
-
3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser:
$220
-
3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep:
$285
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
-
Customized Cultural Tours of Rabat with Professional Guides:
$200
-
Day Trip from Rabat to Casablanca with Hassan II Mosque Ticket:
$160
-
Exclusive Rabat City Tour with Authorized Guide and VIP Vehicle:
$74
-
Experience Todra Gorge Hiking Adventure:
$34
-
Explore Rabat Highlights by Premium Car – Private City Tour:
$29
-
Explore Rabat by Electric Tuk Tuk – Private City Highlights Tour:
$34
-
From Casablanca 6Day Private Morocco Tour By Imperial Cities:
$1,550
-
From Casablanca: 5-Day Private Desert Adventure to Marrakech:
$1,540
-
From Rabat To FEZ guided city tour:
$196
-
From Fes Full-Day Guided Tour with Local Expert:
$194
-
From Fes Guided city tour:
$195
-
From Private Casablanca Tour With Hassan II Mosque Ticket:
$148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Rabat, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Rabat?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Rabat, 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.
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