Which place is cheaper, Helsinki or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki?
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.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 10-Day Tours in Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesHelsinki Prices
Finland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Helsinki $193
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is $193. 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 Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Helsinki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Helsinki $170
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Helsinki
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Helsinki? 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Helsinki $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $100
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $42
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $40
- Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Airport and Hotel Private Transfers.: $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer Helsinki : $210
- VIP Transfer HELSINKI: $198
- VIP Airport Transfer by new cars in Helsinki: $159
- Private VIP Transfer in Helsinki: $82
- Private VIP Transfer from or to Helsinki Airport: $84
- Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port by Luxury Van: $102
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki City by Luxury Van: $102
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Hotels to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki City Hotels to Kotka Cruise Port: $170
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki Port : $70
- Private Transfer from Airport in Helsinki and Vice versa: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Helsinki?
Prices for flights to both Helsinki 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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Helsinki $70
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $119
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Helsinki $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Helsinki Highlights Tour: the Top Sightseeing Spots: $156
- Helsinki Premium Transportation Experience: $170
- Helsinki and Porvoo Tour by Private Car with Personal Guide: $102
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $108
- 4 Hour Helsinki Tour from Cruise Port: $96
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- Adventure Day: $48
- Baltic Bites Tour of Nature and Food on a Helsinki Summer Island: $119
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $191
- Capital of Contrasts: A Self Guided Audio Tour in Helsinki: $15
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
- Day to Porvoo from Medieval Old Town Guided Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Helsinki $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Helsinki?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Helsinki, 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.