Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Alexandria or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Alexandria Prices
Egypt PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $25Kolkata (Calcutta) $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $25, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $42. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $9.16Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $18Kolkata (Calcutta) $30
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria $3.39Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.50
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$0.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Alexandria port to Alexandria Hotels: $20
- Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alexandria to Alexandria Airport (HBE)-Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Private Transfer from Alexandria to El Alamein 1-Way & Round-Trip: $38
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria Port: $41
- Private Transfer to El Alamein from Borg El Arab: $49
- Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $55
- transfer from Alexandria to Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels: $55
- Alexandria to Giza & Cairo | Private Hotel or Airport Transfer: $73
- Alexandria to Cairo : Private Transfer 24/7 Service: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Airport Taxi: Round Trip Transfer Between Kolkata & Kolkata Airport CCU: $43
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $74
- Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $43
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $33
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Private Transfer From Kolkata Airport to Hotel: $11
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $62
- Private Transfers from Kolkata to Kolkata Airport drop:: $33
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $13Kolkata (Calcutta) $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
- Private Half Day Food Tour in Alexandria Egypt: $15
- Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $20
- Alexandria Food Tour Top Rated: $40
- Baladi Plates Alexandria Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Alexandria Food Tour Taste The Egyptian Traditional Food: $56
- From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $36
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $39
- Alleyway Food Tour: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria $4.73Kolkata (Calcutta) $13
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alexandria Free Walking Tour Discover the Hidden Gems: $5.00
- Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $19
- Discover Alexandria Walking Tour: $20
- Half Day Tour to Bibliotheca Alexandrina: $22
- Group Tour to the landmarks of Alexandria from Alexandria city: $30
- Private Alexandria Highlights Guided Day Tour: $35
- Exclusive Tour Alexandria, It's newly opened Greek & Roman Museum: $35
- Alexandria by night private tour by horse carriage ride: $35
- Catacombs of kom el shoqafa Guided Walking Tour: $40
- Alexandria Day Tour Visit the Tob attractions of Alexandria City: $40
- Walking Tour in Alexandria from Alexandria Hotels: $45
- Alexandria Library Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $28
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $30
- Flower Market Colors and Ganges Ghat Experience: $30
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $35
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $36
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $39
- Kolkata's English History - European Calcutta Tour: $39
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $39
- Photography Tour of Mesmerizing Markets of Kolkata: $39
- Kolkata 3-Hour Tour of Kumortuli - The Goddess Beckons: $39
- Magic Hour Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria $1.28Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) is in Asia, 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.