Which place is cheaper, London or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or London?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and London. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or London?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesLondon Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80London $295
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in London is $295. 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 Mombasa and London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26London $171
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52London $342
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and London
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or London? 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18London $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$20
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Heathrow Express$25
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Luggage Storage$11
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London Map$1.76
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Oyster Card$49
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$29
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Oyster Card$37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Windsor Castle to/from Central London | Private Transfers: $74
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter with return transfers: $124
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in London HTL-APT (LHR): $102
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in London HTL-APT (STN,LCY): $90
- Transfer to/from London Gatwick Airport to Dover Cruise Port: $489
- Transfer to/ from London Heathrow Airport to Central London: $199
- Transfer to/ from Dover Cruise port to Central London: $507
- Transfer to the Cruise ports from your London accommodation: $110
- Transfer from London to Stratford upon Avon: $108
- Transfer from London City Center to London Airport (LCY): $64
- Transfer from Heathrow Airport to London: $164
- Transfer from Heathrow Airport LHR to Central London by Sedan: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or London?
Prices for flights to both London and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41London $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$18
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Tea$8.18
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$53
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Morning Tea$8.66
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Pastry$6.82
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Sushi Dinner for One$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ultimate London Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $48
- Tasting History: A Choose Your Own Menu Food Tour: $49
- Pizza and Beer Bus Experience: $67
- London Soho & Covent Garden Food Tour by Do Eat Better : $79
- International Stand Up Show & Monmouth K. Dinner in Covent Garden: $89
- Borough Market Christmas Food Tour with Tea and Doughnuts: $96
- Private South Indian Home Cooking Experience in Orpington: $105
- Devour Borough Market & Leadenhall Food Tour with Wine: $115
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $117
- Hungry for Soho: London's Finest Food Tour: $122
- Eating London East End Food Tour: $122
- London Cheese Chocolate and Christmas Lights Food Tour: $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18London $44
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$113
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London Symphony Orchestra$47
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London Pass$64
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Comedy Show$11
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- Experience Fitzrovia Comedy Club in London: $6.85
- Greenwich, Real-world Adventure Game: $21
- London King's Cross Walking Tour: Homelessness Revisited: $30
- Londons Treasures Guided Tour of the British Museum: $103
- Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket: $40
- Rock 'n' Roll Soho - a Walking Tour: $29
- Silent Disco Walking Tours West End Boogie Shoes: $40
- 'Cutty Sark' Entrance Ticket: $32
- 10 Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $48
- 2 Hour Big Ben to Borough Market Walking Tour: $41
- 2 Hour Private Rock & Roll Tour London: $295
- 2 Hours History Walking Tour of The Secret Streets in Chelsea : $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79London $21
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $16
- London Pub Tour: $27
- London Pub Crawl: $29
- Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery Tour and Cocktail: $30
- Camden Pub Crawl in London: $34
- The Great East London Pub Crawl!: $34
- Small Group Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour in London: $34
- Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $41
- Small Group Historical Pub Tour, Beer Included: $60
- East End Craft Brewery Tour: $67
- Brixton Craft Brewery Tour: $67
- Devour London Historical Pub Tour:Traditional British Food & Ales: $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and London 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and London, 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.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa or London?
London has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or London in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and London. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, many visitors come to London in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Mombasa is a little warmer than London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than London during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than London. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or London in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as London. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Mombasa is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than London. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than London. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or London in the Winter?
Both London and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to London because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in London can be very cold. Mombasa is much warmer than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than London during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than London. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or London in the Spring?
Both London and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year.
In the spring, Mombasa is much warmer than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than London. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than London. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Mombasa
| Mombasa | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
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.