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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Cairo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Cairo, 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 Cairo?

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.

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Ethiopia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ethiopia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Cairo or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $68, while the average daily cost in Cairo is $18. 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 Cairo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $44
    Cairo $9.54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $88
    Cairo $19
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Cairo

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Cairo? 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 Cairo


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 Cairo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $7.91
    Cairo $3.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

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

  • Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $20
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $22
  • City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $19

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.09
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • From Private Day Trip to Luxor w/ Transfer & Flights: $589
  • 3-Days Private Guided Tour Package Covering all Cairo,Lunch and Airport Transfer: $300
  • 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh: One-Way or Return Private Transfer: $290
  • 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $280
  • From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $275
  • 2-Day Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
  • Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to Hurghada: $267
  • Private 4 days Sightseeing Cairo and Giza Tour airport transfers: $250
  • Camping in the White & Black Deserts (Bahariya Oasis) & Cairo Private transfer : $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Cairo?

Prices for flights to both Cairo 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 $18
    Cairo $4.84
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.12

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:

  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
  • Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show: $77
  • Culinary Class and Food Tour in Addis Ababa : $82
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $120
  • Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
  • Half Day + Dinner Addis Ababa City Tour: $150
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with transfers: $154
  • Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
  • Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: $243

Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Unusual Cairo Food Tour : $12
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $13
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile with Private Transfer from Cairo: $16
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise On The Nile River With Private Transfer: $16
  • Super Safari ATV , Drive Buggy Car, Camel Ride, Dinner, Show-Hurghada: $19
  • Giza pyramids ,Sphinx ,Valley temple and Nile Dinner cruise tours: $20
  • Dinner Cruise Cairo With Belly Dancer Show in The Nile River: $20
  • Private Tour Giza pyramids, Camel Ride, Lunch, Nile Dinner Cruise & Shopping: $20
  • local oriental food tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $22
  • Private tour Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise from Giza and Cairo hotels: $23
  • Quad Bike ATV Camel Ride Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $8.16
    Cairo $5.86

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

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

  • Addis Ababa highlights of the city tour: $53
  • Addis Ababa City - Half Day Tour: $55
  • Addis Ababa highlight city tour: $56
  • Guided: Addis Ababa City Tour: $58
  • Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa With Hotel PickUp And Drop-off: $58
  • Guided City Tour: $59
  • Addis Food Tasting Tour : $59
  • Addis Ababa city Tour: $60
  • Half Day City Tour of Addis Ababa : $60
  • Museums tour of Addis Ababa with coffee tasting: $62
  • Addis Ababa Bole Airport Culinary and Walking Tour : $62
  • Guided City Tour / Addis Ababa Guided City Tour: $63

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.86
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.62

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
  • 2 Days White Desert and Bahariya Oasis Tour: $231
  • 2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour : $80
  • 2-Day Cairo Giza Highlights Guided Tour including Camel Ride All inclusive : $40
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
  • 2-Day Tour Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour: $290
  • 2-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza: $145
  • 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
  • 3-Day Cairo Top Attractions Exploration Tour: $180
  • 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
  • 3-Days Tour in Siwa Oasis from Cairo : $217
  • 4-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza & Alexandria: $209

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $6.74
    Cairo $1.20

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
  • The Pub Crawl Royale: A Battle of the Best Drinks: $65
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $69

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $57


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Cairo, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Addis Ababa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Addis Ababa than you might in Cairo.

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 Cairo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Cairo?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Addis Ababa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Cairo, 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.