Which place is cheaper, Porto 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 Porto?
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 Porto. 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 Porto?
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.
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesPorto Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Porto $187
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Porto is $187. 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 Porto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Porto $84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Porto $168
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Porto
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Porto? 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 Porto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Porto $24
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $30
- Service Transfer Airport to Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia: $64
- Private transfer between Porto and Algarve with 1 stop: $558
- Private Transfer to Porto from Tarouca: $135
- Private Transfer to Lisbon from Tarouca: $293
- Porto Airport: Transfer to/from Valenca Do Minho Station: $12
- Porto Airport Transfer: $24
- Madeira: Vereda do Larano Trail One-Way Transfer Service: $23
- Madeira: Porto da Cruz to Machico Hiking Tour with Transfer: $39
- Funchal to Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools Day Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Porto?
Prices for flights to both Porto 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 $41Porto $74
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Porto Food & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Porto $30
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
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- 3 Hour Tuk tuk Tour in Porto: $215
- 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $52
- Aveiro and Costa Nova Half Day Tour from Porto with Boat Ride: $55
- Braga & Guimarães Small Group Tour: Lunch & All Tickets Included: $167
- Breathtaking Nature in Gerês Park - Private tour from Porto: $130
- Daytime Sailing Adventure near Lagos and Luz!: $167
- Douro Sunset Sailboat Experience in Porto: $70
- Douro Valley : 2 wineries, Tastings, Lunch & Scenic River Cruise: $161
- Douro Valley Tour: 2 Vineyard Visits, River Cruise, Winery Lunch: $113
- Douro Valley and Régua Panoramic Cruise with Lunch from Porto: $92
- Douro Valley: Historical Sites, Wine Experience, Lunch & Cruise: $106
- Douro: luxury & private tour with picnic lunch at Quinta da Roêda: $293
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Porto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- Luxury Yacht Cruise with Wine Tasting & Snacks: $54
- Port Wine Tour | 3 Cellars | 7 Tastings | 12 Participants Maximum: $60
- Port Wine Lodges Tour Including 7 Port Wine Tastings (English): $62
- Authentic Food and Wine Tour in Porto by Food Lover Tour: $81
- Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch from Porto : $96
- Douro Valley Wine Tour: 3 Vineyard Visits, Wine Tastings, Lunch: $113
- Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise: $118
- Douro Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Winery and Lunch From Porto: $131
- Authentic Small Group Douro Wine Tour with Lunch & River Cruise: $131
- Small Group Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cruise: $149
- Douro Valley Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting, Lunch and Boat: $150
- Douro Valley Tour - 3 Wine tastings, Lunch & river Cruise: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Porto, we can see that Porto 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 Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Porto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Porto?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Porto, 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 Porto?
Porto 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 Porto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Porto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, many visitors come to Porto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Porto. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Porto 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Porto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Porto. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Mombasa is much warmer than Porto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°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 Porto. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Porto. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Porto 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Porto in the Winter?
Both Porto 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 Porto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Mombasa is much warmer than Porto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Porto averages at about 10°C (50°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Porto during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Porto. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Porto 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Porto in the Spring?
Both Porto 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 Porto this time of year.
In April, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porto. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.
Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Porto. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Porto 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Porto and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Porto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 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.