A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Alexandria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Alexandria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Alexandria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Alexandria?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, and The Best Budget Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Addis Ababa?

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

  • Addis Ababa Prices
    Ethiopia Prices
    Alexandria Prices
    Egypt Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Addis Ababa $29
    Alexandria $27

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $27. 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 Addis Ababa and Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $16
    Alexandria $9.86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $32
    Alexandria $20
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Alexandria? 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 Addis Ababa


Hotels in Alexandria


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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.80
    Alexandria $3.65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $29
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
  • Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
  • Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
  • Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
  • Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
  • Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
  • Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
  • Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
  • Bole Airport Transfer: $25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Private Transfer From Alexandria To Cairo Airport: $240
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Cruise Port to Cairo City Hotels: $225
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $225
  • Private Transfer From Alexandria To Cairo: $190
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo or vice versa: $134
  • Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria Borg Al Arab Airport To Cairo: $130
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt or vice versa: $121
  • Private Transfer Alexandria to Cairo Hotel or Airport: $99
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $80
  • Private Transfer from Borg El Arab Airport to Marsa Matrouh: $69
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $56
  • transfer from Alexandria to Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Addis Ababa 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
    Addis Ababa $11
    Alexandria $14
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
  • Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
  • Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
  • Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
  • Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
  • Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70
  • Guided Night Tour with Dinner & Live Music: $72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $20
  • Alexandria Food Tour Top Rated: $40
  • Food Tour in Alexandria for Lunch or Dinner in The Best Restaurants: $45
  • Private Food Tour To The Famous Restaurant In Alexandria: $56
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
  • GEM and Pyramids Tour with Cruise Dinner From Alexandria Port: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.89
    Alexandria $5.09

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Addis Ababa City Tour & Coffee Ceremony with Shopping areas: $18
  • National Museum Guided Tour with Lucy Fossil: $28
  • Guided Walking Tour with Coffee & Food: $28
  • Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
  • Kebena to Entoto Green Corridor Discovery Tour: $30
  • Guided City Tour with Coffee Break & Entry fee: $30
  • Mercato Market Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $32
  • Premium Addis Ababa Piassa Walking Tour with Coffee Ceremony: $32
  • Best Addis Ababa Half-Day Tour: $32
  • Flexible City tour Museum's,other layover vist: $35
  • Red Terror Memorial Storytelling Experience: $35
  • Discover Addis Ababa City Tour: History, Culture & Tradition: $36

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $196
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
  • 8Days Egypt Tour package UltraLuxury Cairo,Alexandria&cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein and Alexandria Private Day Tour with Lunch: $200
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $130
  • Alexandria By Night Private Free Walking Tours & Horse Carriage Ride: $68
  • Alexandria City Tour from Cairo Full Day: $85
  • Alexandria Day Tour: $110
  • Alexandria Day Tour Visit the Tob attractions of Alexandria City: $40
  • Alexandria Day Tour from Alexandria Port or Hotels: $101

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.38
    Alexandria $1.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60


When comparing the travel costs between Addis Ababa and Alexandria, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Addis Ababa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Alexandria, 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.