Which place is cheaper, Saaremaa or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Saaremaa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Saaremaa 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: Arusha or Saaremaa?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesSaaremaa Prices
Estonia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $201Saaremaa $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $201, while the average daily cost in Saaremaa is $150. 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 Arusha and Saaremaa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $134Saaremaa $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $268Saaremaa $84
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Saaremaa
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Saaremaa? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $14Saaremaa $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $161
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro Airport Pick Up & Drop Off | Private Transfer Service: $77
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:
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Rental Car and Gas for a Day$40
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Saaremaa?
Prices for flights to both Saaremaa and Arusha 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 dayArusha $43Saaremaa $74
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $43
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:
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Salmon$1.50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $47Saaremaa $24
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Arusha National Park Guided Day Tour From Arusha: $290
- Marangu waterfall & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD : $150
- Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD : $167
- Materuni Waterfalls, Visiting Chagga Village, CoffeeTour Kikuletwa Hotsprings: $100
- 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
- 2 Day Mount Meru Private Camping Tour from Arusha: $200
- A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro : $160
- Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha City town tour: $101
- Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
- Arusha Guided Walking City Tour: Culture, History & Local Markets: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $11Saaremaa $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Saaremaa, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Saaremaa is in Europe, 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 Saaremaa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saaremaa 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Saaremaa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Saaremaa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Saaremaa?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Saaremaa, 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.