Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesReykjavik Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Reykjavik $307
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $307. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Reykjavik $160
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Reykjavik $320
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Reykjavik $52
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$9.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wilson Airport Private Transfer to Nairobi hotels or Airport: $30
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $46
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Nairobi Airport Transfer: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer To & From Blue Lagoon: $108
- Sky Lagoon Ticket with 7-Step Ritual and Transfers from Reykjavik: $149
- Sky Lagoon Private Transfer : KEF to Sky Lagoon: $115
- Skálafell to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Skálafell to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
- Silver Circle Tour & Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $1,386
- Sky Lagoon Admission with Transfer: $257
- Roundtrip Bus Transfer to the Blue Lagoon: $59
- Reykjaböð Hot Springs Entry & Transfer: $151
- Private Transfer within Reykjavik City: $87
- Private Transfer to/from Keflavík Airport (KEF): $85
- Private Transfer to Keflavik Airport: $198
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 $13Reykjavik $60
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
- 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
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $137
- Food Tour by locals: $140
- Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $146
- Icelandic Food Tour: $147
- Reykjavik Small-Group Food Tour: 5 Specialties and a Secret Dish: $149
- 3-Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
- Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
- Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $241
- Authentic Icelandic Cooking Class in a Local Reykjavik Home: $285
- South Coast Private tour with Black Pizza & Glacier Hike: $1,595
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Reykjavik $83
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:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park Tour: $150
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli National Park: $200
- 1 Day tour of Lake Nakuru National Park: $250
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Safari Big Five Adventure from Nairobi: $300
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $195
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Witness the Jungle Experience: $270
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Amboseli Private Safari Tour: $52
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$33
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Tour : Pick up from Reykjavik (2 persons per ATV): $137
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $553
- 1-Hour Small Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Vestmannaeyjar: $160
- 1.5 Hour Buggy Tour from Reykjavik – Off-Road Adventure: $219
- 2-Hour Buggy Adventure Tour out off Reykjavik: $264
- 2.5 hour Twin Peaks ATV Adventure with pickup from Reykjavik: $179
- 3-Hour Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure From Reykjavik: $339
- 4x4 Reykjavik Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Photographer: $238
- BEST Guided Northern Lights Tour with Snacks 100% refundable: $137
- Buggy & Golden Circle Full day adventure from Reykjavik: $309
- Caving & ATV full day adventure From Reykjavik: $316
- Chase the Aurora: Private Northern Lights Adventure Tour: $1,416
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Reykjavik $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
- Icelandic Bar Crawl Experience: $278
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik is in Europe, 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Reykjavik?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Reykjavik, 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.