Which place is cheaper, Aswan 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Addis Ababa or Aswan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Aswan, 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 Aswan?
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.
Aswan
Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesAswan Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $29Aswan $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $29. 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 Aswan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $16Aswan $9.66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $32Aswan $19
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Aswan
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Aswan? 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.
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 Aswan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.80Aswan $5.30
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:
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
- Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $75
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $152
- 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
- Private Transfers from Aswan to Abu Simbel and Luxor in AC Cars: $240
- Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada in AC Cars Local Driver: $230
- Private Aswan to Luxor Transfer with Custom Temple Stops: $200
- Marvel 3-Days Unique Guided Tours Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $167
- Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel.: $166
- Abu Simbel from Aswan in Egypt - Private Tour (guide and transfers Included): $150
- Aswan Private Transfer To Luxor city: $130
- Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor by Air-Conditioned Vehicle: $120
- Round-Trip Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel: $115
- Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Luxor Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer Aswan to Luxor: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Aswan?
Prices for flights to both Aswan 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 dayAddis Ababa $11Aswan $15
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:
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
- Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $70
- Ethiopian Enjera Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony: $70
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
- Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
- Addis Ababa Private City Tour with Immersive Cooking Class Lunch: $85
- Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
- Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $60
- Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75
- Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan: $90
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.89Aswan $9.09
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Addis Ababa Nature Park & Full Day Museums Tours (English): $20
- Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
- 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
- Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $38
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $40
- Open-bus Tour and Cycling: $41
- Local Food Open Market, City Tours & More.: $42
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
- Merkato Addis Ababa Guided Tour: $42
- Mercato Market Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $43
- Best of Addis Ababa Tour With Hotel pick up and drop off: $45
- Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
-
Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.17
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- 2 Day Aswan Tour+Hotel Includ:Abu Simbel, Philae& Nubian Village: $190
- 2 Days Private Tour in Aswan and Abu Simbel: $85
- 2 Hours Private Sound and Light Show Tour in Philae Temple: $85
- 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
- 2 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $270
- 2-Day Luxor Small-Group Tour from Aswan with Felucca Ride: $120
- 2-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor – Including Abu Simbel: $250
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Nubian Village from Aswan: $33
- 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
- 3-Day Guided tour to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor from Cairo: $285
- 3-Day Tour Aswan, Abu Simbel , Luxor & Train ticket, Opt. Balloon: $280
- 3-Day, 2-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours: $219
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.38Aswan $1.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
- Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65
When comparing the travel costs between Addis Ababa and Aswan, we can see that Aswan 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 Aswan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Aswan?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Aswan, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.