How much does it cost to travel to Nairobi?
You should plan to spend around $52 (KES8,032) per day on your vacation in Nairobi. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $6.27 (KES971) on meals
- $8.94 (KES1,384) on local transportation
- $19 (KES2,999) on hotels
A one week trip to Nairobi for two people costs, on average, $726 (KES112,455). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Nairobi has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Nairobi expensive to visit?
Nairobi is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Kenya, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Africa, Nairobi is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Africa for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Merzouga, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Dar es Salaam.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Nairobi Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Nairobi?
The average Nairobi trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Nairobi travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
KES2,999
($19)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
KES1,384
($9)
|
|
Food 2
|
KES971
($6)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
KES5,998
($39)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
KES1,015 -
3,044
($7 - 20)
|
Accommodation Budget in Nairobi
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Nairobi is $9.68 (KES1,499). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Nairobi is $19 (KES2,999). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Nairobi
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 $8.94 (KES1,384) per person, per day, on local transportation in Nairobi.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$8.94
KES1,384
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.
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.
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
Food Budget in Nairobi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Nairobi can vary, the average cost of food in Nairobi is $6.27 (KES971) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Nairobi should cost around $2.51 (KES388) 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
$6.27
KES971
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.
Entertainment Budget in Nairobi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Nairobi typically cost an average of $39 (KES5,998) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$39
KES5,998
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.
Alcohol Budget in Nairobi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $13 (KES2,030) 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
$13
KES2,030
Water Budget in Nairobi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.59 (KES246) 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
$1.59
KES246
Nairobi On a Budget
At the market in Nairobi, Kenya
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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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.