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

Should you visit Alexandria or Portland?

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

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Portland?

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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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

Portland

Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Portland or Alexandria?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $16, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.92
    Portland $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $16
    Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Portland

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Portland? 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 Portland


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 Portland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.46
    Portland $28
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 Luxor to Alexandria: $244
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Alexandria City Hotels: $16
  • Private Transfer around El Nouzha Airport (ALY) in Alexandria: $63
  • Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
  • Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22
  • From Private Transfer to Luxor: $253
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland

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

  • Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
  • Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
  • Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
  • Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Portland?

Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $6.39
    Portland $43

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 Portland

For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Afternoon Drinks (for 2)
    $9.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland

For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Walking Pizza Tour: $75
  • Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
  • Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
  • Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
  • Downtown Food Tour: $102
  • Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
  • The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
  • The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
  • Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
  • Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
  • All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
  • 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.46
    Portland $24

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

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

  • Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
  • National Museum and Egyptian museum Private Tour in Egypt: $258
  • Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
  • 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
  • 6-Hour Day Tour in Alexandria: $95
  • 6-Hour Private Day Tour to Rashid from Alexandria: $100
  • 8 Days Ultra Luxury Cairo, Alexandria & Nile cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $117
  • Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $135
  • Alexandria By Night Private Free Walking Tours & Horse Carriage Ride: $60

Tours and Activities in Portland

For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
  • Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.99
  • Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
  • Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
  • Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
  • Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.33
    Portland $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Portland

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:

  • Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
  • Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
  • Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
  • Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
  • Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
  • Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
  • Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
  • Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
  • Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
  • Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
  • Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
  • From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210


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


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Portland?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Portland, 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 Portland?

Portland 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 Portland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Portland. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Portland in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alexandria is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in July than Portland. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F) 
    Portland 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Autumn?

Both Portland and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 22°C (72°F), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Portland. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F) 
    Portland 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Alexandria during the winter 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 winter months attract visitors to Portland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Portland can be very cold. Alexandria is much warmer than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F) 
    Portland 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

In the spring, Alexandria is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 19°C (66°F), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Portland. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F) 
    Portland 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Portland and Alexandria

Alexandria Portland
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm)