A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Aswan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Aswan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Aswan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Aswan?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Aswan or Arusha?

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 Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $28. 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 Arusha and Aswan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Aswan $9.45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Aswan $19
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Aswan

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Aswan? 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 Arusha


Hotels in Aswan


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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Aswan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Aswan $5.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • luxor Airport Private Transfer: $14
  • VIP Transfer – Private Pickup & Drop-off from Aswan Airport: $35
  • VIP Private Transfer Aswan to Hurghada: $180
  • Transfer to Luxor from Aswan with 2stops in Komombo& EdfuTemples: $55
  • Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $79
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Shared Transfer: Aswan Airport to Hotels: $30
  • Private transfer from aswan to luxor with visits: $93
  • Private transfer from Hotel To Aswan Airport: $55
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $35
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $55
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Aswan?

Prices for flights to both Aswan and Arusha 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
    Arusha $40
    Aswan $14
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

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


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

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

  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
  • Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $195

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $66
  • Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75
  • Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Aswan $8.88

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • Guided Arusha town tour with market visit,shopping, and city walk: $17
  • Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets& Hidden Gems: $19
  • Arusha's Soul: A Guided Walking & Drive City Tour. Learn & Live.: $21
  • Arusha Waterfalls,Coffee farm Tour & Swing(all inclusive): $30
  • Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
  • Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
  • Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
  • Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha: $50
  • 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.15

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Private Sound and Light Show Tour in Philae Temple: $85
  • 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
  • 2-Day Luxor Small-Group Tour from Aswan with Felucca Ride: $120
  • 3 Days and 2 Nights Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $299
  • 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
  • 3-Day Tour Aswan, Abu Simbel , Luxor & Train ticket, Opt. Balloon: $280
  • 3-Day, 2-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours: $219
  • 4 Day 3 Nights Nile Cruise From Aswan to Luxor: $1,273
  • 4 Days Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon: $284
  • 4-Day / 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours: $279
  • 4-Day Nile Cruise sails Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel.Hot air Balloon: $285
  • 4-Day Nile Cruise: Aswan to Luxor & Abu Simbel + Hot Air Balloon: $284

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Aswan $1.01


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Aswan, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Aswan.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Aswan?

Arusha has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Aswan, 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.