Is Kenya expensive to visit?
Kenya is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Africa, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Africa for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Uganda and Cape Verde.
With a few popular places to visit for tourists, Kenya has some popular destinations with a variety of prices. The most expensive is Tsavo National Park. If you're looking for a cheaper place, you can visit Diani.
Average daily price of selected cities in Kenya, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Lake Nakuru | $145 |
| Tsavo National Park | $139 |
| Masai Mara | $133 |
| Mombasa | $81 |
| Diani | $69 |
| Nairobi | $68 |
A Masai Warrior near Masai Mara National Park
How expensive is Kenya?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in Kenya tends to be around $140 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Kenya here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Kenya?
A one week trip to Kenya costs about $978 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,956.
How expensive is a two week trip to Kenya?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Kenya costs around $1,956 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $3,912.
How expensive is a month long trip to Kenya?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Kenya will cost around $4,191 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $8,382.
Tsavo National Park, Kenya
Is it expensive to backpack in Kenya?
Kenya is a somewhat popular destination for backpackers, offering over 30 hostels around the country. The average cost for a dorm room in one of these hostels is around $13 per night. (See details on hostel prices in Kenya here.) Backpackers often head first to hostels in Nairobi and Mombasa. For budget-friendly options, Nairobi offer some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $12 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Nairobi with an average cost of $12 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Kenya.
- $12 for a dorm bed at Jabulani Backpackers Hostels in Nairobi
- $13 for a dorm bed at Kijani Cottages Diani, Hostel in Diani
Where to find affordable hostels in Kenya
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 15 | $12 |
Are hotels expensive in Kenya?
Hotel prices in Kenya are significantly cheaper compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $58 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Kenya are more expensive than others, like Tsavo National Park, where hotel prices average $249 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Nairobi, averaging $48 per night for a hotel room.
Where to find affordable hotels in Kenya
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Tsavo National Park | $249 |
| Diani | $232 |
| Lake Nakuru | $98 |
| Masai Mara | $89 |
| Mombasa | $76 |
| Nairobi | $48 |
At the market in Nairobi, Kenya
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Kenya?
In Kenya, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $39 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour: $98
- Private Tour to Amboseli National Park: $200
- Hell's Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha Private Tour: $110
- Giraffe Centre Safari Experience in Nairobi / Kobe Beads Factory: $39
- Nairobi National Park, Elephants Orphanage Private Tour: $135
- Nairobi Wildlife Experience: Elephants, Giraffes & Safari Drive: $99
- Private Half Day Tour at Nairobi National Park: $110
- Day Tour To Kiambethu Tea Farm in Limuru: $138
Is food expensive in Kenya?
In Kenya, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $46 per day on food, per person.
- Magical Storytelling Swahili Dinner in the Bushbaby Treehouse: $75
- Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70
Mombasa beach resort, Kenya
Is transportation expensive in Kenya?
Local transportation in Kenya can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $33 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within Kenya can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $81 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for Kenya
If you're planning a trip to Kenya, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.