Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Cairns, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Cairns?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. 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 Aqaba and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Cairns? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Private Transfer – Hassle-Free Travel: $100
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Petra City Hotels: $93
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- AIRPORT TRANSFER between Cairns Airport & Port Douglas (6am-5pm): $40
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $15
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $24
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Port Douglas Hotel or Address): $230
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $171
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $189
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $184
- Cairns Airport Shared Transfer to Cairns: $15
- Cairns Airport Transfers: $160
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer 1-7 Pax: $174
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer With Return : $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Cairns $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $70
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $45
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $202
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Admission Ticket: $10
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $10
- Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket: $13
- Kuranda Koala Gardens General Entry Ticket: $15
- Kuranda: Riverboat Tour: $20
- Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Admission Tickets: $26
- Hipster and Street Art Walking Tour: $29
- Tomb of the Pharaohs Entry Ticket: $32
- Cairns Tomb Of The Pharaohs General Admission Ticket: $32
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $34
- Cairns Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket with Koala Photo: $37
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Cairns, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Cairns is in Pacific, 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 Cairns would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairns 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Cairns.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Cairns?
Cairns has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Cairns, 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 Aqaba or Cairns?
Cairns has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Aqaba or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Cairns. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is a little warmer than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAqaba 33°C (91°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Aqaba is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAqaba 26°C (79°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Aqaba is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAqaba 14°C (57°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.
In the spring, Aqaba is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Cairnsin October. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAqaba 24°C (75°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
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.