What Things Cost in Nairobi
Real prices from restaurants, rides, hotels, and attractions so you can plan your trip without guessing.
Nairobi can surprise you in both directions — a nyama choma plate at a local joint costs less than a London coffee, but a night out in Westlands can rival any global capital. This guide uses real, verified prices from named businesses so you know exactly what to expect. All prices are in Kenyan Shillings (KES) with approximate USD equivalents at the current rate of ~129 KES per dollar.
All prices in KES (Kenyan Shillings). 1 USD = ~129 KES (March 2026). Prices fluctuate — check xe.com for current rates.
Key Takeaway
A comfortable midrange day in Nairobi — decent hotel, Uber rides, two restaurant meals, and one activity — runs about KES 15,000 (USD 116). Budget travelers eating local food and using matatus can halve that. Nairobi's Airbnb oversupply means accommodation is a genuine bargain right now.
utensilsFood & Dining
Street food meal (smokie pasua, chips mayai, or nyama choma plate)
KES 100 – KES 400Roadside vendors and kiosks across the CBD, River Road, and Tom Mboya Street. A filling plate of githeri or ugali with stew goes for KES 100-200.
Local restaurant lunch (Mama Oliech, K'Osewe Ranalo Foods)
KES 500 – KES 1,200Popular local joints serving Kenyan staples — tilapia, ugali, sukuma wiki, nyama choma. Mama Oliech in Hurlingham is the classic pick for fried tilapia around KES 800-1,000.
Cafe meal (Java House, Artcaffe)
KES 800 – KES 1,800Artcaffe and Java House are everywhere. A coffee plus sandwich or burger runs KES 800-1,200. Full brunch with juice closer to KES 1,500-1,800. Cappuccino alone is KES 250-350.
Mid-range restaurant dinner (Carnivore, About Thyme, Talisman)
KES 1,500 – KES 3,500A main course plus drink at a quality sit-down restaurant. Carnivore's all-you-can-eat meat experience is around KES 3,500 per person. Talisman in Karen averages KES 2,000-3,000 per head.
Fine dining (Cultiva, Alma by Hemingways)
KES 4,000 – KES 10,000Nairobi's top-tier restaurants. A tasting menu at Cultiva runs KES 6,500-8,000 before drinks. Expect KES 4,000-6,000 per person at upscale hotel restaurants.
Beer at a bar (Tusker, White Cap)
KES 250 – KES 800A Tusker at a local pub costs KES 250-400. Same beer at a Westlands rooftop bar: KES 500-800. Craft beers at Brew Bistro start at KES 500.
carTransport
Matatu (public minibus) within Nairobi
KES 30 – KES 100CBD to Westlands is KES 30-50 off-peak, KES 70-100 during rush hour. CBD to Karen costs KES 70-100. The cheapest way to get around — just watch your pockets on crowded routes.
Uber/Bolt ride (CBD to Westlands or Kilimani)
KES 350 – KES 700Short hops within central Nairobi. Bolt is slightly cheaper than Uber. Prices surge during morning and evening rush (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) and during rain.
Uber/Bolt ride (JKIA airport to CBD)
KES 1,200 – KES 2,000The 15-20 km airport run. Daytime off-peak is closer to KES 1,200. Evening arrival with traffic can hit KES 2,000+.
Taxi touts at JKIA arrivals will quote KES 3,000-5,000. Walk past them to the ride-hailing pickup area or order from the app inside the terminal. Even official airport taxi desks charge KES 2,500-3,500 — double the Uber price.
Uber/Bolt ride (CBD to Karen)
KES 800 – KES 1,500About 20 km via Langata Road. Traffic on this corridor can be brutal — the fare doubles during peak hours.
Boda boda (motorcycle taxi)
KES 100 – KES 400Negotiate before you ride. Short hops are KES 100-200. Useful for cutting through traffic but riskier than ride-hailing. Wear the provided helmet.
SGR train (Nairobi to Mombasa, economy class)
KES 1,000 – KES 3,000Economy KES 1,000, first class KES 3,000. A 5-hour journey. Book at metickets.krc.co.ke — tickets sell out on weekends and holidays.
bedAccommodation
Hostel dorm bed (Wildebeest Eco Camp, Backpackers' Hostel)
KES 1,400 – KES 2,000Nairobi has limited but decent hostels. Wildebeest Eco Camp in Langata is a backpacker favourite with a pool. Dorm beds include WiFi and communal kitchen.
Budget hotel or guesthouse
KES 2,500 – KES 5,000Clean private rooms in areas like Upperhill, CBD, or South B. Expect basic WiFi, hot water, and breakfast at the higher end. Hotels like Kahama or Decasa are popular budget picks.
Airbnb apartment (Kilimani, Westlands)
KES 4,000 – KES 12,000Massive oversupply has pushed Kilimani Airbnb rates down to KES 4,000-5,000 for a decent 1-bedroom. Westlands and Lavington run KES 5,000-15,000. Great value compared to hotels.
Mid-range hotel (Dusit D2, Radisson Blu)
KES 10,000 – KES 20,000International-standard 4-star hotels with pool, gym, and restaurant. Nairobi has strong competition in this tier — check booking.com for deals.
Luxury hotel (Fairmont Norfolk, Hemingways, Tribe Hotel)
KES 25,000 – KES 60,000Nairobi's finest. Hemingways Karen from KES 35,000, Giraffe Manor from KES 100,000+ (all-inclusive). The Fairmont Norfolk is a colonial-era icon from KES 25,000.
compassActivities & Attractions
Nairobi National Park (non-resident entry fee)
KES 5,160 – KES 10,320USD 80/adult (KES ~10,320) and USD 40/child (KES ~5,160) for a 24-hour entry. The only national park bordering a capital city — lions, rhinos, and giraffes with the skyline behind them.
Some tour operators bundle park entry into inflated package prices. You can self-drive or take an Uber to the main gate and pay entry fees directly via the KWS Smart Card or eCitizen portal.
Giraffe Centre (AFEW)
KES 1,500 – KES 1,935USD 15 (KES ~1,935) for non-residents. Hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from an elevated platform. Morning visits are less crowded.
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
KES 645 – KES 2,580USD 20/adult (KES ~2,580), USD 5/child. Open daily 11 AM-12 PM only. Watch orphaned baby elephants being fed and playing in mud. Book at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org.
Nairobi National Museum
KES 1,200KES 1,200 for non-residents, KES 200 for East African residents. Worth 2-3 hours for natural history, art, and cultural exhibits.
Day safari to Nairobi National Park (guided tour)
KES 8,000 – KES 20,000Half-day guided safari including transport and park fees. Prices vary hugely between operators. Budget operators charge KES 8,000-12,000; premium safari vehicles with lunch run KES 15,000-20,000.
Hotel concierge-booked safaris can be marked up 50-100%. Book directly with operators like Scenic Kenya, Urban Adventures, or through your accommodation's trusted partners. Compare at least three quotes.
shopping-bagShopping & Daily Needs
Safaricom SIM card + data bundle
KES 50 – KES 1,000SIM card costs KES 50 and includes KES 50 airtime. A 1GB weekly data bundle is around KES 250, a 3GB monthly bundle is KES 500-1,000. Buy at any Safaricom shop — JKIA arrivals has one. Bring your passport for registration.
Supermarket grocery run (Naivas, Carrefour)
KES 1,500 – KES 4,000A basic week's groceries (bread, eggs, milk, vegetables, rice, cooking oil) runs KES 1,500-2,500 for one person. Adding imported items, cheese, or wine pushes it to KES 3,000-4,000. Carrefour at Two Rivers and Village Market tends to be slightly cheaper than Naivas on staples.
1.5L bottle of water
KES 60 – KES 120KES 60-80 at a supermarket, KES 100-150 at a restaurant. Tap water in Nairobi is not recommended for visitors — stick to bottled or filtered.
Maasai Market souvenirs (curio shopping)
KES 200 – KES 5,000Beaded bracelets from KES 200, soapstone carvings KES 500-2,000, Maasai shukas (blankets) KES 800-1,500, larger wood carvings KES 2,000-5,000. The Tuesday market at Capital Centre and Saturday market at High Court parking are most popular.
Starting prices at curio markets are typically 3-5x the expected sale price. Negotiate firmly and politely — offer 30-40% of the asking price and work up. Walking away is the most effective bargaining tool.
Laundry (hotel or local service)
KES 300 – KES 1,500Local laundry services charge KES 300-600 for a full load. Hotel laundry is KES 100-200 per item. Airbnbs in Kilimani and Westlands often include a washing machine.
musicNightlife & Entertainment
Club entry cover charge (Westlands)
KES 500 – KES 5,000Alchemist Bar KES 1,000-2,000, B-Club KES 2,000-5,000, K1 Klubhouse KES 500-1,500. Many venues are free entry on weeknights. Ladies' nights at 1824 (Thursday) often waive cover for women.
Cocktail at a lounge bar (Brew Bistro, Kiza, 1824)
KES 700 – KES 2,500Standard cocktails at Westlands lounges run KES 800-1,500. Premium spots like B-Club and Kiza charge KES 1,200-2,500. Mercury Lounge and Gipsy Bar are more affordable at KES 700-1,200.
Cinema ticket (IMAX at Panari, Anga Cinema)
KES 700 – KES 1,500Standard 2D screenings at Anga Diamond Plaza or Prestige run KES 700-900. IMAX and premium screens go up to KES 1,200-1,500. Tuesday is usually discounted.
Live music or comedy show
KES 500 – KES 3,000Mercury Lounge and J's Fresh Bar host live bands most weeks for KES 500-1,500 entry. Churchill Show-style stand-up comedy nights run KES 1,000-3,000. Check social media for lineups.
Spa treatment (60-min massage)
KES 2,500 – KES 12,000Budget day spas from KES 2,500-4,000. Mid-range standalone spas (Zen Garden, Serenity Spa) KES 3,000-5,000. Hotel luxury spas (Kempinski, Hemingways) KES 8,000-12,000.
Budget Tiers
Budget
KES 5,000–KES 8,000/day
Hostel dorms or budget guesthouses, matatus and walking, local restaurants and street food, free attractions and markets. Perfect for backpackers and long-term travelers.
Sample day
Hostel dorm (KES 1,500) + matatu rides (KES 200) + street food breakfast (KES 150) + local lunch at K'Osewe (KES 700) + Maasai Market browsing (free) + nyama choma dinner (KES 500) + Tusker at a local bar (KES 300) = KES 3,350 base, plus incidentals.
Mid-Range
KES 12,000–KES 20,000/day
Kilimani Airbnb or 3-star hotel, Uber/Bolt for transport, mix of local and international restaurants, one paid attraction per day. The sweet spot for most visitors.
Sample day
Airbnb in Kilimani (KES 5,000) + Uber rides x3 (KES 1,800) + Java House breakfast (KES 600) + lunch at Mama Oliech (KES 1,000) + Giraffe Centre entry (KES 1,935) + dinner at Talisman (KES 2,500) + craft beer at Brew Bistro (KES 600) = KES 13,435.
Luxury
KES 35,000–KES 80,000/day
Boutique or 5-star hotel, private transport or premium Uber, fine dining, guided tours, and spa treatments. Nairobi's luxury scene delivers genuine value compared to equivalent experiences in Europe or the US.
Sample day
Hemingways Karen (KES 35,000) + private airport transfer (KES 5,000) + Artcaffe brunch (KES 1,500) + Nairobi National Park guided safari (KES 15,000) + dinner at Cultiva (KES 7,000) + cocktails at Sankara rooftop (KES 3,000) + spa (KES 8,000) = KES 74,500.
Money Tips
Get a Safaricom SIM card at the airport and register for M-Pesa immediately. It is the de facto payment method in Kenya — accepted at supermarkets, restaurants, taxis, market stalls, and even street vendors. Many places prefer M-Pesa over card payments.
Withdraw cash from Equity Bank or KCB ATMs for the best exchange rates. Avoid forex bureaus at JKIA — rates in the CBD (Koinange Street) or Westlands are significantly better.
Uber and Bolt are your best friends for transport. Always use the app price — never negotiate off-app rides with drivers who approach you. Check both apps before booking, as Bolt is often 10-20% cheaper.
Eat where Kenyans eat. A plate of fish and ugali at Mama Oliech costs KES 800. The same meal at a tourist-oriented restaurant costs KES 2,500. Follow the crowds, not the TripAdvisor rankings.
Nairobi's Airbnb market is massively oversupplied, especially in Kilimani and Kileleshwa. For stays of 3+ nights, negotiate directly with hosts for 20-30% discounts — many are desperate for bookings.
Carry small notes (KES 50, 100, 200) for matatus, boda bodas, and market purchases. Drivers and vendors often claim they cannot break KES 1,000 notes.
Safari and activity prices have a dual pricing system — Kenyan residents pay significantly less. This is standard practice and non-negotiable at KWS parks. However, city activities like museums and galleries often have more modest price differences.
Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. At restaurants, 10% is standard. Do not tip on top of a bill that already includes a service charge — check your receipt.