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

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Should you visit Aqaba or Luxor?

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

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

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.

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Aqaba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $31. 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 Luxor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Luxor $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Luxor $20
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Luxor

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Luxor? 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 Luxor


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 Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Luxor $5.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
  • Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
  • Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra: $90
  • Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
  • Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra: $105
  • From Transfer to Amman Hotels or Amman Airport: $113
  • Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service: $150
  • King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba: $25
  • Private Petra Day Trip from Aqaba Port with Return Transfer: $190
  • Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Airport private transfer Luxor airport: $27
  • Cairo Airport Private Transfer: $31
  • Day Tour East & West Bank+Transfer to Aswan or Hurghada or Marsa: $105
  • Day Tour from Airport to Luxor Monuments Include Lunch Transfers Entry Guide: $150
  • Dendara & Abydos with return - Private transfer from Luxor: $50
  • Departure Transfer From Hotel To Luxor Airport: $13
  • Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
  • Edfu Temple Private Tour from Luxor – Transfer & Guide/Ticket: $170
  • Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Aswan Transfer from Luxor: $105
  • Exclusive Luxor To Cairo or Cairo 2 luxor Transfer Relax In Style: $120
  • Full day transfer Luxor-Aswan over Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo: $110
  • Hassle-free Private Transfers from Luxor to Hurghada: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor 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 $73
    Luxor $15

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
  • Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
  • "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
  • Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $82
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $90
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $109

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $13
  • Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner: $30
  • Luxor West Bank Tour: School, Church & Cooking Class: $35
  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Nile River Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Luxor (private Tour): $44
  • Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $45
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Felucca at Sunset and Dinner at an Egyptian House in Luxor: $60
  • Day Tour to Farm Luxor with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $62
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Luxor $9.66

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

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

  • Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
  • Turgut camp with tour: $15
  • Join Us Before Sunset – Aqaba Walking Tour Let's Go!: $27
  • Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
  • Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
  • Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
  • Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
  • 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $32
  • Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour: $33
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
  • 4 Hour Jeep Tour Morning or Sunset Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $37

Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.53
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.54
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.17

Tours and Activities in Luxor

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

  • Dahabiya Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan: $5.00
  • Private Day tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Memnon: $5.60
  • Medinet Habu Temple QR Code Entry Ticket: $6.50
  • Private Luxor West Bank Tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut&Colossi: $7.92
  • Luxor Half Day Tour : Karnak & Luxor Temples: $8.00
  • Private Half-Day Luxor Tour:Valley of the Kings,Habu & Hatshepsut: $8.39
  • Luxor Tour:Valley of the King&Hatshepsut Temple&colossi of Memnon: $8.41
  • Private Tour: Medinet Habu,Valley of the Queens & Deir el-Medina: $8.49
  • Private Half Day Tour:Valley of Kings & Hatshepsut Temple& Memnon: $8.50
  • Private Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatchepsut Temple &Tut's Tomb: $8.53
  • Private luxor Tour: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.63
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Private Day Tour: $9.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Luxor $2.89

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Luxor?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Luxor, 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 Luxor?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Aqaba or Luxor in the Summer?

Both Luxor and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.


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