A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Rome for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Nairobi or Rome?

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 Rome 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 Rome?

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.

Rome

Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 $68, while the average daily cost in Rome is $236. 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 Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Rome $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Rome $206
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Rome? 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Rome


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 Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Rome $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfers: $40
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
  • Airport transfers: $180
  • Airport transfers in Nairobi: $60
  • 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
  • Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.28
  • Train to the Airport
    $17
  • Taxi to Airport
    $51
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • VIP Experience Private Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Rome: $110
  • Transfers from Fiumicino airport: $81
  • Transfers Ciampino airport To Rome: $49
  • Transfer to Fiumicino/Ciampino Airport from Rome city center: $55
  • Transfer service from Fiumicino Airport to Rome 4 - 8 passengers: $151
  • Transfer from/to train stations in Rome 1 - 3 passengers: $81
  • Transfer from the Port of Civitavecchia to Rome: $169
  • Transfer from Rome to the Rome Airports: $65
  • Transfer from Rome to the Port of Civitavecchia: $169
  • Transfer from Rome to the Beverello pier (Naples): $294
  • Transfer from Rome to MagicLand: $123
  • Transfer from Rome to Fiumicino Airport & viceversa: $116

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome 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
    Rome $95
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
  • Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Experience in Lunch or Dinner: $116
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120
  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
  • Flavors of Brazilian Churrascaria Dinner Eating Experience: $125

Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $16
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.41
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.56
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $3.02
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $36
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.28
  • Dinner
    $66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Rome Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $40
  • Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
  • Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine: $41
  • Roman Dinner after History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $44
  • Pizza Cooking Class in Rome - Near Piazza Navona: $45
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
  • Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
  • Fettuccine Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $46
  • Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $47
  • Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
  • The Original Fettuccine & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome: $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Rome $41
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:

  • Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $10
  • Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
  • Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
  • Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
  • Nairobi City Tour and Pickup: $20
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park Guided Tour: $22
  • Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23

Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $79
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $38
  • Roma Pass
    $34
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $23
  • Segway Tour
    $86

Tours and Activities in Rome

Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • " Private pantheon tour: Explore Rome's Divine masterpiece": $103
  • 1 Day Rome Tour from Civitavecchia for Cruise Passengers: $89
  • 1 Hour Pantheon Tour: A Time Travel Experience in Rome + Ebook: $110
  • 1 hour Little Ancient Tour of Rome by Mini Vintage Cabriolet with Cappuccino: $162
  • 1,5 H Ancient Rome Tour on a Golf Cart: $80
  • 1,5H Historical City Center Tour on a Golf Cart at Rome: $80
  • 2-Hour Private Shopping Tour in Rome with Personal Stylist - Personal Shopper: $116
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in Rome's Enchanting Jewish Ghetto: $93
  • 2.5 Hours Private Tour in Rome on a Vintage Fiat 500 open cabrio: $184
  • 2h Xmas Lights Panoramic Vespa Sidecar Tour: $115
  • 2h30 Tour of Rome Cathedral and Holy Stairs: $110
  • 3 Hour Instagram Private Tour in Rome with Pickup: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Rome $21

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 Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.41
  • Pint of Beer
    $7.23
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $22
  • Unique Wine Tasting in Enoteca in Rome San Pietro Area: $32
  • Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
  • Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
  • Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
  • Rome Wine Tasting in Monte dei Cocci | Authentic Lazio Wines: $45
  • Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $49
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $52
  • Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $56
  • Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $58
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $64
  • Rome Bar Crawl: Interactive Night Tour with Games and Karaoke: $75

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Rome?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Rome. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Rome, 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.
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