A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Lyon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Alexandria or Lyon?

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 Lyon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Lyon?

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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon or Alexandria?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $17, while the average daily cost in Lyon is $136. 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 Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.99
    Lyon $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $16
    Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Lyon

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Lyon? 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 Alexandria


Hotels in Lyon


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 Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.49
    Lyon $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $26
  • Alexandria to Alexandria Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $26
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
  • Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
  • Alexandria Airport to Alexandria - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $71
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

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


  • Funiculaire
    $5.63
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Luxury Van: $92
  • Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $86
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $79
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $93
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $86
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $94
  • Excellecar Private Driver - Stations & Airports Transfers: $82
  • Group transfer from Lyon airport to City Center: $118
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Val d'Isere/Espace Killy: Arrival Transfer: $76
  • Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer: $52
  • Lyon Exupery Airport to Les Deux La Clusaz Round Trip Transfer: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Lyon?

Prices for flights to both Lyon 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alexandria $6.46
    Lyon $45

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 Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

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

  • Street Food Tour: $64
  • Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
  • Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
  • Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
  • Old Town Food Tour: $96
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
  • Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
  • Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.50
    Lyon $22

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

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

  • The Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Citadel of Qaitbay Entry Ticket : $3.80
  • Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Tickets : $3.80
  • Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.25
  • Alexandria Library Entry Ticket: $5.70
  • Qaitbay Citadel Entry Ticket: $5.70
  • Catacomb Of Kom El-Shoqafa Entry Ticket: $5.70
  • Alexandria Library Skip the line Access Entry Ticket: $6.12
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Catacomb of Kom eL Shoqafa: $6.12
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Roman Theater in Alexandria: $6.12
  • Library of Alexandria Entry Ticket Included Pickup And Drop Off: $6.38

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $49

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
  • Hop-On Hop-Off City Cruise: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Lyon Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
  • Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Private Self-Guided Tour of the Curse Quest of Old Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
  • Lyon Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $9.61
  • Old Lyon Walking In App Audio Tour: $9.77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.35
    Lyon $26

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.37
  • Bottle of Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
  • Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
  • Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
  • From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
  • Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
  • From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon is in Europe, 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Lyon?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

Lyon 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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 26°C (79°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In July, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Lyon. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Lyon. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Alexandria is much warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Alexandria is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alexandria in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Lyon. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Alexandria or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 19°C (66°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F) 
    Lyon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lyon and Alexandria

Alexandria Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)