Travel Budget for Nairobi

Nairobi Area, Kenya
Africa / Kenya /

How much does it cost to travel to Nairobi?

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How much money will you need for your trip to Nairobi? You should plan to spend around KES6,426 ($60) per day on your vacation in Nairobi, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, KES777 ($7.21) on meals for one day and KES1,107 ($10) on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Nairobi for a couple is KES2,399 ($22). So, a trip to Nairobi for two people for one week costs on average KES89,964 ($835). All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    KES6,426
  • One Week Per person
    KES44,982
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    KES89,964
  • One Month Per person
    KES192,779
  • One Week For a couple
    KES89,964
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    KES179,927
  • One Month For a couple
    KES385,558
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.

A vacation to Nairobi for one week usually costs around KES44,982 for one person. So, a trip to Nairobi for two people costs around KES89,964 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs KES179,927 in Nairobi. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Nairobi can often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.



How expensive is Nairobi? How much money do I need for Nairobi?

How much does a trip to Nairobi cost? Is Nairobi expensive? The average Nairobi trip cost is broken down by category here. All of these Nairobi prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Nairobi
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price for one person for accommodation in Nairobi is KES1,199. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price for a hotel room in Nairobi is KES2,399.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    KES1,199
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    KES2,399

Featured Properties

Vacation Rental Prices in Nairobi

How much do vacation rentals cost in Nairobi? Prices vary by location, date, size of the place, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best vacation rental for your travel style.

We love VRBO because of their commitment to small businesses. VRBO is part of the Expedia family, one of the biggest names in travel.



Food Budget in Nairobi
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Nairobi can vary, the average cost of food in Nairobi is KES777 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Nairobi should cost around KES311 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Nairobi is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    KES777

Featured

What did other people spend on Food in Nairobi?

Typical prices for Food in Nairobi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Nairobi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.


  • Dinner for Two
    KES650


Transportation Budget in Nairobi
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Nairobi is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent KES1,107 per person, per day, on local transportation in Nairobi.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    KES1,107

Featured Services


Flights to Nairobi
How much does it cost to go to Nairobi? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Nairobi
The price of renting a car in Nairobi will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Nairobi?

Typical prices for Transportation in Nairobi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Nairobi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.


  • Taxi from Airport
    KES1,200


Entertainment Budget in Nairobi
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Nairobi typically cost an average of KES4,798 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    KES4,798

Featured Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Nairobi?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Nairobi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Nairobi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.


  • Village Visit
    KES2,000


Alcohol Budget in Nairobi
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about KES1,624 on alcoholic beverages in Nairobi per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    KES1,624


Water Budget in Nairobi
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend KES197 on bottled water in Nairobi per day. The public water in Nairobi is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    KES197


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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.

Kenya has a subtropical highland climate. It's located 1,795 meters about sea level so evening temperatures can be cool. During the months of June and July, the temperature can drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. December through march are the warmest times of the year with average highs around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The city has two rainy seasons with moderate rainfall.
Sights
Nairobi is a modern city with many sights and activities for visitors to enjoy. Nairobi National Park is the world's only game reserve that is located in a major city. Within it you will find zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, lions, cheetahs, and much more. You can also visit the nearby Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. This orphanage raises elephant calves and rhinos that come from all over Africa. The Giraffe Centre is located in Lang'ata and breeds endangered Rothschild giraffe. You can feed the giraffe and enjoy a variety of educational programs. Mamba Village has ostriches and crocodiles and is also worth a visit.

Other interesting sights in and near the city include Lake Naivasha, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, 14 Falls, the US Embassy Memorial Site, Tana River, the Nairobi National Museum, the National Railway Museum, Nairobi Gallery, Karen Blixen Museum, Bomas of Kenya, Uhuru Gardens, and Jamia Mosque.
Neighborhoods
Nairobi is divided into constituencies which include Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe, Langata, Dagoretti, Westlands, Kasarani, and Embakasi. The major administrative areas are Central, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Kibera, Makadara, Pumwani, and Westlands. The most affluent neighborhoods are usually in the west and northcentral parts of the city.

Activities
The main reason people travel to Kenya is to enjoy a safari. The most popular safari destination in Kenya is Masai Mara and most safaris will take you to this park as well as one or two other parks if time allows. While it will give you peace of mind to organize your safari before you arrive in Kenya, you should understand that you will pay a significant markup this way. If you're more flexible and free spirited, you can arrive in Nairobi and book your safari the same day. There are plenty of operators who will eagerly organize your trip for you. The packages are usually standard and range in length from three to five days, but some trips are as long as two weeks. Refer to your guidebook, which can suggest some reputable companies that can arrange your trip. Most safaris have about five to eight people and you travel in a comfortable minivan. Food and transportation are included, but tips are not.

Other activities within the city include enjoying the city's excellent nightlife, ice skating at Panari, going to a Maasai market or visiting Go-Down Arts Center.
Food and Dining
Nairobi has a large number of budget and mid range restaurants that you can choose from. There are plenty of bars, coffee shops, and cafes around town. There are also restaurants that serve Ethiopian, Chinese, Indian, and Italian food, as well as many other international cuisines. If you're looking for cheap international food head to the Village Market Food Court. Fast food restaurants in the city include Steers, Debonairs, Wimpy, and Galito's.

Transportation
You're likely to visit Nairobi at both the beginning and end of your trip to Kenya, as the city serves as the country's gateway. The airport is nice, and you can pick up a taxi on arrival to take you to your hotel. Do negotiate the price, and you will likely get a better deal if you do not use one of the taxi companies that is located inside the airport, but instead find a taxi just outside.

Within Nairobi, you can use buses to get around. These buses, referred to as matatus, can vary in size and are often overcrowded. Taxis are a cheap alternative and are generally your safest option. Particularly late at night, it is best to take a taxi to your destination. If you're going to an unfamiliar neighborhood it is better not to walk.


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1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase.


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