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

Should you visit Nairobi or Punta Arenas?

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 Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Nairobi?

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

  • Nairobi Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Punta Arenas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nairobi $67
    Punta Arenas $79

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $79. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Punta Arenas $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Punta Arenas $1.80
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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

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

  • Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $267
  • Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
  • Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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
    Punta Arenas $36
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
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

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


  • Donut
    $1.05
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Punta Arenas $6.44
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

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

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

  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
  • For Cruise-ship passengers: Magdalena Island (Penguins): $200
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • Guided Tour of Punta Arenas and Fort Bulnes: $300
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
  • Magallanes National Reserve and Punta Arenas City Tour: $165
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Boat Tour and Marta Island: $165
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Punta Arenas $4.86

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas is in South America, 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 Punta Arenas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Punta Arenas?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Punta Arenas, 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.