Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Alexandria or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Chicago?
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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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.
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $16Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $16, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Alexandria and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $7.92Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $16Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Chicago? 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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $2.46Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
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Taxi to Train Station$0.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
- Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
- From Private Transfer to Luxor: $253
- Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22
- Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
- Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
- Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
- Private Transfer around El Nouzha Airport (ALY) in Alexandria: $63
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $234
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $203
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Alexandria 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
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Food Meals for one dayAlexandria $6.39Chicago $49
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: $35
- Alexandria Food Tour: $50
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
- Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
- Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $3.46Chicago $47
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alexandria Library Entry Tickets With Pickup and Drop Off: $3.80
- Citadel of Qaitbay Entry Ticket : $3.80
- Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $3.80
- Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Tickets : $3.80
- Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.26
- Entry Ticket To The Citadel of Qaitbay: $4.26
- Skip The Line Entry Ticket to the Roman Theater in Alexandria: $4.26
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Tickets: $4.26
- Skip The Line Bibliotheca Alexandria Entry Ticket: $4.26
- Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Qaitbay Citadel Entry Ticket: $5.70
- Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Ticket: $5.70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Discovering Chicago with Walking In App Audio Tour: $6.00
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Must-Sees & Hidden Gems In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $9.25
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket at Guaranteed Rate Field: $9.32
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.33Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alexandria is in Africa and Chicago is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Chicago?
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Chicago. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Chicago, 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.
When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Alexandria experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alexandria or Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
Alexandria is around the same temperature as Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In July, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Chicago. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlexandria 26°C (79°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Alexandria or Chicago in the Autumn?
Both Chicago and Alexandria during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Alexandria is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 22°C (72°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).
Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlexandria 22°C (72°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Alexandria or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 13°C (55°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In January, Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chicago. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlexandria 13°C (55°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Alexandria or Chicago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Chicago. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Alexandria is much warmer than Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlexandria 19°C (66°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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.