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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Luxor?

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

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

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.

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

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


Which place is cheaper, Luxor 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $32, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $33. 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 Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $17
    Luxor $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $34
    Luxor $22
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Luxor? 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 Luxor


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 Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.10
    Luxor $5.64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

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

  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
  • 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $154

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • 3-Night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfers and Meals: $643
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Luxor to El Cairo: $299
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Makadi - Car And Minibus Options: $260
  • Private Car And Minibus Transfer Luxor City To Soma Bay: $254
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Hurghada City - Car And Minibus Options: $247
  • Shared Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $220
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Luxor to Cairo by Bus : $220
  • One-night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfer: $214
  • Luxor Airport (LXR) to El Queseir - Arrival Private Transfer : $195
  • Private transfer - from Luxor to Hurghada and visit Dendara en route: $192
  • Transfer Luxor to Hurghada including a Quad VIP safari adventure : $180
  • Vip Marsa Alam Private Transfer to Luxor: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor 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 $12
    Luxor $16
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

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


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.05

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:

  • Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
  • Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
  • Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
  • Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
  • Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $75
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
  • Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
  • Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
  • Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
  • Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Live Music: $99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $60
  • Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
  • Enjoy Lunch or Dinner on a Luxor Nile River Boat: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
  • Egyptian cooking class and Luxor museum : $120
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $3.20
    Luxor $10

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

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

  • Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
  • 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
  • Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $38
  • Mercato Market & National museum Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $40
  • 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
  • Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour: $45
  • Layover in Addis: Tailored Tours for Transit Passengers: $45

Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

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


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

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

  • 2 Days Sightseeing Tour of Luxor Highlights: $120
  • Adventure Hot Air Balloon Ride Tour in Luxor: $79
  • Aswan and Abu Simbel private 2 days tour from Luxor : $220
  • Balloon Experience with Personalized Photography: $120
  • Balloon Tour and Sunset Felucca Ride in Luxor with Luxor Tour: $189
  • Balloon, Tour of Temples West Bank and Carter House in Luxor : $54
  • Day Private Tour to Karnak and Luxor Temples: $90
  • Day Tour of Luxor East & West Bank Temples and Tombs of Luxor: $140
  • Day Tour to Dendera and Abydos Temples from Luxor: $80
  • Day Tour to Hathor Temple at Dendera from Luxor by car: $90
  • Day Tour to Karnak temple and luxor temple from luxor: $77
  • Day tour to Aswan from Luxo visit Edfu,Kom Ombo,Phila Temples & Aswan dam.: $276

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.64
    Luxor $3.10

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 Luxor, we can see that Luxor 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 Luxor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Luxor?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Luxor, 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.