Cost of Living in Kenya 2026 - Budget Guide
How much does it cost to visit Kenya? Here is a detailed breakdown of daily costs for budget, mid-range, and luxury travellers with prices for accommodation, food, transport, and activities.
Currency: Shilling (KES). 1 USD = approximately KSh130. All prices shown in both KES and USD.
Daily Budget Summary
| Travel Style | Daily Budget (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker / Budget | $20-40/day | Hostels, street food, public transport, free activities |
| Mid-Range | $80-200/day | 3-star hotels, restaurants, taxis, paid activities |
| Luxury | $400+/day | 4-5 star hotels/lodges, fine dining, private transport, premium activities |
Accommodation Costs
| Type | Price Range (USD/night) |
|---|---|
| Hostel dormitory | $10 - $20 |
| Budget guesthouse | $15 - $35 |
| Mid-range hotel (3-star) | $50 - $100 |
| Airbnb (entire apartment) | $30 - $80 |
| Luxury hotel (4-5 star) | $250+ |
Food and Drink Costs
| Item | Local Price | USD Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | KSh100-300 | $1-3 |
| Local restaurant meal | KSh500-1,500 | $3-8 |
| Western restaurant meal | 2-3x local restaurant | $10-25 |
| Fine dining | Varies widely | $25-60+ |
| Local beer (bottle) | KSh200-500 | $1-3 |
| Imported beer | 2x local beer | $3-5 |
| Coffee (cafe) | KSh100-250 | $1-3 |
| Water (1.5L bottle) | - | $0.50-1 |
| Soft drink | - | $0.50-1.50 |
Transport Costs
| Transport Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Local bus / minibus | KSh50-100 (~$0.30-1) |
| City taxi (per km) | KSh200-500 (~$0.50-1.50/km) |
| Uber / Bolt (where available) | Similar to taxi, metered |
| Intercity bus | $5-20 (depending on distance) |
| Domestic flight | $50-200 (depending on route) |
| Car rental (per day) | $30-80 |
Activity Costs
Budget-Friendly
- Walking tours: Free-$10
- Local markets: Free
- Museums: $2-10
- Beaches/nature: Free-$5
- Local cultural experiences: $5-15
Premium Activities
- Safari day trip: $100-300
- Guided tours: $20-80
- Adventure sports: $50-200
- Cooking classes: $15-50
- Boat trips: $20-100
Price Comparison with Western Countries
| Item | Kenya | UK | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant meal | $3-8 | $15-25 | $15-25 |
| Beer | $1-3 | $6-8 | $5-8 |
| Coffee | $1-3 | $4-5 | $4-6 |
| Taxi (5km) | $3-8 | $12-18 | $10-15 |
| Mid-range hotel | $50-100 | $100-200 | $120-250 |
Money-Saving Tips
- Eat local: Street food and local restaurants are delicious and a fraction of Western restaurant prices
- Use public transport: Minibuses and local buses are extremely cheap
- Travel in shoulder season: Prices drop 20-40% outside peak tourist season
- Book accommodation in advance: Online prices are often better than walk-in rates
- Negotiate: Bargaining is expected at markets and for taxis (where no meter)
- Join group tours: Shared safaris and group activities are much cheaper than private
- Cook occasionally: If your accommodation has a kitchen, shop at local markets
- Use ride-hailing apps: Fixed prices avoid being overcharged by taxis
Related Pages
Budget Snapshot
- Budget: $20-40/day
- Mid-Range: $80-200/day
- Luxury: $400+/day
- Street Food: $1-3
- Beer: $1-3
- Hostel: $10/night
- Currency: KES
City Price Guide
Nairobi: Most expensive city. Westlands and Karen are upscale areas.
Mombasa/coast: Budget-friendly beach destination.
Safari areas: Tourism-priced. Masai Mara lodges $200-$1,500/night.
Western Kenya: Very affordable, less touristy.