Daily costs per person in KES (KSh). Mombasa offers a wide range — street food and matatus keep budget travellers comfortable, while Diani resorts and seafood restaurants cater to splurgers.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: KES (KSh) (1 USD ≈ KSh 154)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | KSh 1,500–3,000 | KSh 4,000–12,000 | KSh 25,000+ | City guesthouses → Nyali hotels → beach resorts |
| Food | KSh 500–1,000 | KSh 1,500–3,000 | KSh 5,000+ | Street food → restaurants → Tamarind-level dining |
| Transport | KSh 100–300 | KSh 500–1,500 | KSh 3,000+ | Matatus → tuk-tuks → private taxi |
| Activities | KSh 1,000–2,000 | KSh 3,000–8,000 | KSh 15,000+ | Fort + beach → marine park + Diani → Wasini + safari |
| Drinks | KSh 100–300 | KSh 400–800 | KSh 1,500+ | Juice & chai → Tusker → cocktails |
| Daily Total | KSh 3,200–6,600 | KSh 9,400–25,300 | KSh 49,500+ | $21–43 → $61–164 → $321+ |
Money-saving tips
Use matatus for transport
Shared minibuses (matatus) cost KSh 30–100 for city trips. Tuk-tuks are KSh 100–300 for short hops. Only use taxis for longer trips or late-night returns. Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) are cheapest but riskiest.
Eat street food
Mombasa's street food is excellent and cheap: mishkaki KSh 50, chips mayai KSh 200, biryani KSh 300, sugar cane juice KSh 50. You can eat well for KSh 500/day at the market stalls and Old Town eateries.
Book the SGR train
The Madaraka Express (KSh 1,000 second class, KSh 3,000 first class) runs daily between Nairobi and Mombasa in 5 hours. Book online at metickets.krc.co.ke — it is faster, cheaper, and more comfortable than buses or flights.
Free beaches
All Mombasa beaches are free to access. You only pay for sun lounger rental (KSh 200) or drinks. Bring your own towel and water and the beach costs nothing.
Likoni Ferry is free
The Likoni Ferry crossing to the south coast is free for pedestrians. It runs every 15 minutes and connects Mombasa Island to Diani Beach and the south coast without needing to pay for a taxi.
Stay in the city centre
Budget hotels and Airbnbs in the city centre or Old Town area cost KSh 1,500–3,000/night. Nyali beachfront prices are 2–3 times higher. The city centre has the best street food and transport connections.
