Nairobi is Kenya's vibrant capital city and a major hub for East Africa, blending modern skyscrapers with abundant wildlife right at the city's edge. It is the only city in the world with a national park within its boundaries, where lions and giraffes roam against a backdrop of the urban skyline. Known as the 'Green City in the Sun,' Nairobi offers world-class dining, diverse culture, and serves as the gateway to Kenya's legendary safari destinations.
Local currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Nairobi.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12-20 (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $25-50 (private room guesthouse)
- Midrange
- $70-150 (3-star hotel)
- Luxury
- $200-500+ (5-star hotel)
Food
- Street
- $1-4 (street food and snacks)
- Local
- $5-10 (local restaurant with ugali and meat)
- Midrange
- $12-25 (sit-down restaurant)
- Fine
- $40-80+ (fine dining restaurant)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.30-1 (matatu within city)
- Taxi
- $5-20 (Uber/Bolt across the city)
- Airport
- $15-30 (Uber from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to city)
- Daytrip
- $30-120 (day trip by public or private transport)
Activities
- Museum
- $3-10 (Nairobi National Museum, Railway Museum)
- Sites
- $5-15 (Giraffe Centre, Karura Forest, Bomas)
- Tour
- $20-80 (guided tour or game drive)
- Excursion
- $60-200 (full day trip with transport)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Nairobi costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$280 for 7 days
Midrange traveller
$840 for 7 days
Luxury traveller
$2450+ for 7 days
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Use Uber or Bolt instead of taxis — they're cheaper and safer, and you can track your route
Eat lunch at local restaurants where the main meal of the day offers better value
Visit attractions in clusters — Karen has the Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri Beads and Mamba Village within a short drive
Shop at supermarkets like Nakumatt or Carrefour for snacks, water and picnic supplies
Use matatus for short journeys in safer areas — much cheaper than ride-hailing
Book safaris directly with guesthouses like Wildebeest Eco Camp to cut agent fees
Visit Nairobi National Park before 7 AM when entry queues are shortest
The Maasai Market has better prices than fixed souvenir shops — bargain confidently
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Aga Khan Walk
Beautifully landscaped pedestrian boulevard with public art in the CBD
CBD Architecture Walk
Self-guided walk through Nairobi's mix of colonial and modern architecture
Nairobi Arboretum
Urban botanical garden (small entry fee)
City Market Browse
Browse the stalls of Nairobi's central market without buying
Kenya National Theatre Grounds
The theatre forecourt and grounds are free to enter
Village Market Window Shopping
Browse the open-air mall in Gigiri for free
Uhuru Park Lakeside Walk
Central park with a lake, paddleboats and gardens
Westlands Street Art
Street murals and art installations throughout Westlands
Friday Prayers at Jamia Mosque
Observe the busy Friday prayers at Nairobi's main mosque (respectfully, from outside)
Ngara Antiques Browsing
Browse antique shops along Ngara Road — no obligation to buy