A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Dahab for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aqaba or Dahab?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Dahab, 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 Dahab?

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.

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Dahab or Aqaba?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Dahab is $14. 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 Dahab in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Dahab $6.20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Dahab $12
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Dahab

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Dahab? 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 Aqaba


Hotels in Dahab


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 Dahab Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Dahab $1.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Terminal Private Transfer: $85
  • Transfers from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba city: $50
  • Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border : $133
  • Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
  • Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
  • Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba hotel or Wadi Rum: $95
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $59
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
  • Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfers from Wadi Rum: Dead Sea, Petra, Amman, Aqaba & vice versa: $107
  • Private Transfers Aqaba to Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman & vice versa: $47
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Dahab Private Transfer To/From Sharm el sheikh ( One Way Transfer ): $30
  • Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) Transfer: $75
  • Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $260
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $90
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Dahab?

Prices for flights to both Dahab 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aqaba $42
    Dahab $4.92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

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

  • Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
  • Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
  • 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $70
  • Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $72
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $88
  • Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185

Typical Food Prices in Dahab

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


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $2.04
  • Juice
    $0.11
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

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

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $30
  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
  • Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $40
  • Stargazer + Camel riding + Bedouin dinner from Dahab : $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Dahab $4.69

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

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

  • Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
  • 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
  • 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
  • 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
  • 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $136
  • 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
  • 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
  • 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
  • 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • 2 To 5 Hours Private Tour Glass Bottom Boat At Read Sea: $90
  • 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • Dahab's Kept Secrets 5 Adventures in 1 Tour: $25
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
  • From Three Pools Guided Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $29
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $30
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • Saint Catherine's Monastery Half Day Tour From Dahab: $35
  • Half Day Tour to the Blue Hole with Snorkeling: $35
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $39
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $40
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Adventure in Dahab: $40
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Seascope Submarine Tour from Dahab: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Dahab $2.68


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Dahab, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Dahab is in Africa, 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 Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Dahab Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Dahab?

Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Dahab, 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.