A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Budapest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Nairobi or Budapest?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Budapest 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: Nairobi or Budapest?

Nairobi

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.

Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $122. 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 Nairobi and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Budapest $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Budapest $116
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Budapest? 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Budapest


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Budapest $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
  • Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
  • Nairobi National Park Game Drive and Transfer: $95
  • Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $80
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
  • Nairobi - Maasai Mara Shuttle Transfers. : $61
  • Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59
  • Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels : $55
  • Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $7.67
  • Metro Pass
    $4.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Vienna: Private transfer to Budapest or Budapest to Vienna: $317
  • Transfer Budapest City to Ferenc Liszt Airport(BUD): $24
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,163
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Budapest (hotel OR airport pick-up): $109
  • Private Transfer in Budapest: $102
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver: $259
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Liszt Ferenc Airport: $87
  • Private Transfer from Budapest city to Budapest Airport - departure: $31
  • Private Transfer from Budapest Airport to the city - arrival: $31
  • Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by Car or Van: $41
  • Private Scenic Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 4h of Sightseeing: $295
  • Private One Way Transfer from Budapest to Budapest Int Airport: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Nairobi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Budapest $44
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class and Dining Experience: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers : $100
  • Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
  • Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant Lunch / Dinner Experience: $125
  • Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $135
  • Safari Park Hotel Cat Dance and Dinner Experience: $135

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    $3.74

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner and Live Hungarian Music: $1.51
  • Central Market Hall Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $15
  • Hungarian Folk Dance & Concert with Dinner Option: $22
  • Budapest Pizza Cruise: $38
  • Catamaran Pizza Cruise: $41
  • Sir Lancelot Medieval Dinner with Drink and Show: $47
  • Budapest on a Budget: Guided Street Food Tour w/ Sweet Wine: $52
  • Traditional Hungarian Dinner with Live Gypsy Music: $54
  • Food Tour Market to Tavern: 14+ Tasters & Wines: $68
  • Budapest Food Tour: Market to Tavern with 14+ Tasters & Wines: $69
  • Guided Food Tour with Wine, Beer, and Shots: $69
  • Folklore Revue Dinner Show with Unlimited Drinks: $73

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Budapest $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
  • Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
  • Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
  • Local Lunch and Beer Tasting Experience: $90
  • Nairobi National Park Morning Or Evening Game Drive 4x4 Tour Van: $50
  • Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
  • Private 4WD Lake Nakuru Day Tour from Nairobi: $190
  • 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha : $139
  • 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
  • 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $46
  • 1-Day Hiking Adventure at Mount Longonot from Nairobi: $170
  • 2 Days Group Safari to Amboseli using a Landcruiser 4x4 Jeep: $260

Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    $7.52

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • Budapest Downtown Guided Segway Tour : $3.59
  • 1,5 Hour/HERO'S SQUARE-City Segway Tour Budapest: $59
  • 101 things in Budapest - Full Day Tour with Lunch & Metro Pass: $204
  • 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $48
  • 2 Hours Private Scenic Photo Tour Around Budapest: $240
  • 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $102
  • 3 Hours Private Guided Tour In Budapest: $177
  • 3-Hour Orientation Walking Tour of Buda and Pest: $41
  • 4 hour The Treasures of Budapest Private Walking Tour: $147
  • 4-hour private walking tour on the PEST side: $222
  • 7 hour Budapest walking tour: $223
  • 90s Sitcom Escape Room Adventure with Drinks: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Budapest $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $12
  • Budapest Pub Crawl & Ruin Bar Tour – Free Shots & VIP Entry: $13
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $22
  • Guided Pub Tour to Ruin Bars with Games & 6 Shots: $23
  • New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl + 1 Hour Open Bar: $24
  • Budapest Pub Crawl & Ruin Bar Tour – Free Shots & VIP Entry: $24
  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $24
  • Brewery Tour at "First Craft Beer" & Beer Tasting: $26
  • Private, Personalized Pub Crawl, 3 drinks included: $29
  • Pub Crawl Budapest with Challenges and Free Shots: $30
  • Hungarian pálinka distillery visit and tasting: $36
  • PRIVATE Budapest by Nights: GUIDED tour whit WINE tasting: $39

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa and Budapest 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 Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest than you might in Nairobi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Budapest?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Budapest, 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.
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