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

Should you visit Alexandria or San Francisco?

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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or San Francisco?

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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

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, San Francisco 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 San Francisco is $222. 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 San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.92
    San Francisco $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $16
    San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco


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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.46
    San Francisco $16
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:

  • From Private Transfer to Luxor: $253
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $244
  • Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private Transfer around El Nouzha Airport (ALY) in Alexandria: $63
  • Private Pickup Transfer From A Hotel In Alexandria To Borg Al Arab Airport: $50
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
  • Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

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


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

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

  • Airport Transfer: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Francisco: $107
  • Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $245
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $108
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $169
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury SUV: $141
  • Arrival Transfer San Francisco Pier to San Francisco City by SUV: $177
  • Carmel 1-Way Transfer to/from San Francisco Airport: $535
  • Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport by Sedan: $152
  • Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $203
  • Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Business Car: $108
  • Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
  • Private Airport SUV VIP Transfer from or to SFO to Marin County: $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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
    San Francisco $46

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

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

  • San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $79
  • Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay: $82
  • Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $84
  • Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $85
  • Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour: $87
  • Mission District Walking Food Tour: $89
  • Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $89
  • San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $89
  • San Francisco North Beach and Chinatown - Secret Food Tours: $89
  • San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
  • San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.46
    San Francisco $46

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 San Francisco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.

  • Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • San Francisco’s Chinatown on foot: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Leave your heart at the Wharf: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $5.99
  • San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Embarcadero Self-Guided Audio Smartphone Tour: $5.99
  • San Francisco self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $6.46
  • The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Japantown & Stories: $6.99
  • Ghosts & Hauntings Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Secrets of Golden Gate Park Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Design in the Financial District Audio Tour: $7.99

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.33
    San Francisco $22

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • Chinatown San Francisco’s Bar Crawl: An Audio Tour: $4.99
  • SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $27
  • San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • 2 to 3 Hour Bar Crawl in Castro San Francisco: $49
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • Private Wine Tour Napa or Sonoma from $99 per person up to 7 & Concierge Service: $99
  • Small Group: The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $109
  • Big Bus Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $125
  • Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $126
  • From The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
  • The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139


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


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or San Francisco?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Alexandria during the summer 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 San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Alexandria is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Alexandria usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Alexandria is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 22°C (72°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as San Francisco. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 13°C (55°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Alexandria gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Alexandria is a little warmer than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Alexandria gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Alexandria

Alexandria San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)