Which place is cheaper, Sydney 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 Sydney?
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 Sydney 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Sydney $225
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $225. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Sydney $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Sydney $224
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Sydney $16
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:
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Airport transfers: $180
- Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
- Hotel, Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $45
- Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$14
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Taxi to Airport$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
- SYD Airport to Sydney City Centre Private Transfer: $37
- Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
- Private Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $60
- Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $363
- Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD (Chauffeur Driven): $132
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $33
- Sydney Port Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City Hotel: $27
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Shared Transfer to Sydney CBD: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $13Sydney $84
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:
- Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- 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
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Hotel Cat Dance and Dinner Experience: $92
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.85
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Lunch Special$11
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$11
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Meat Pies$3.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Vivid Sydney Fireworks Dinner Cruises: $47
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $54
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $65
- Vivid Tall Ships Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $65
- Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Sydney $34
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:
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Nairobi Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
- Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $16
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Fairview Coffee Farm Tour and MauMau cave Paradise Lost: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi Walking City Tour and pick-up: $22
- Kibera Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
- Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $24
- Discover Nairobi City with Student Led Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$32
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$33
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$136
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Powerhouse Museum$11
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
- 1 Day Perisher Snow Tour: $138
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $138
- 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
- 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,614
- 2 Hour Private Surf Lesson Experience in Wollongong: $160
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Sydney Harbour National Park: $43
- 30 Minute Shared Sydney Harbour Scenic Helicopter Tour: $238
- 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour: $243
- 30-minute Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour for 2: $331
- 45-Minute Sydney Harbour Adventure Jet Boat Ride: $72
- 4Hr Sydney Tour including a Rocks Walking Tour & Bondi: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Sydney $16
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 Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Wollongong: Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour & Cellar visit: $28
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $84
- The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $86
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $91
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney is in Pacific, 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Sydney, 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.