Which place is cheaper, Soweto 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 Soweto?
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 Soweto 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 Soweto?
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.
Soweto
The name Soweto is an acronym for South Western Townships, first used in 1963 to describe the groups of townships to the south west of Johannesburg. It is a city of contrasts, featuring anything from tin shanties to luxurious mansions, and is probably best known for being the home of two Nobel Prize winners.
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 from Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesSoweto Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Soweto $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Soweto is $88. 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 Soweto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Soweto $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Soweto $72
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Soweto
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Soweto? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Soweto $13
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$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi: $40
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $80
- Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Shuttle Van Transfer: $100
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private Nairobi Airport Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Soweto?
Prices for flights to both Soweto 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 $13Soweto $40
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$5.02
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
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Soweto $18
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 Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
- 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
- 2 Days Tour :Mt.Longonot Hiking TOUR &Hells Gate Bicycle Riding: $200
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $210
- 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 Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4 x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $220
- 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
Tours and Activities in Soweto
For Soweto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Johannesburg: Soweto Half-Day Tour: $64
- Johannesburg: Soweto Night Tour: $103
- Johannesburg: Soweto Tour with Lunch: $75
- Sip & Paint Walking Tour: $38
- Visit Gospel service with additional Bicycle Tour of Soweto: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Soweto $9.35
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Soweto, we can see that Soweto is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Soweto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Soweto 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 Soweto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Soweto?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Soweto. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Soweto, 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.