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

Should you visit Arusha or Cairo?

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 Cairo 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 Cairo?

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.

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Cairo 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 Cairo is $30. 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 Cairo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Cairo $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Cairo $20
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Cairo

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Cairo? 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 Cairo


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 Cairo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Cairo $3.46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $46

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • transfer from Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels to Alexandria: $55
  • private transfer from Cairo to Alexandria: $95
  • private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza: $35
  • cairo to siwa transfers service - safe ,comfortable easy rides: $120
  • Welcome to Private Airport Pickup & Transfer: $24
  • VIP Private Cairo Airport Transfer To Or From Cairo , Giza Hotels: $12
  • VIP Meet and assist with transfer from Cairo and SPX Airport: $7.00
  • VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer from Cairo Airport: $39
  • VIP Meet and Assist at Cairo Airport with Private Hotel Transfer: $35
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer: Mercedes E-Class Meet & Greet: $50
  • VIP Ain Sokhna Red Sea Day Trip from Cairo with Private Transfer: $90
  • Two-Day Private City Tour of Cairo, Giza Pyramids and Saqqara+Airport Transfer: $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Cairo?

Prices for flights to both Cairo 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
    Cairo $16
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:

  • Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $43
  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75
  • Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $187

Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.00
  • Explore Giza Pyramids with Camel, ATV, Dinner Cruise, & Shopping: $5.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.40
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
  • 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Cairo Dinner Nile Cruise with Belly Dancer Show on Nile River: $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Cairo $8.29

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • Best Arusha City Tour: $15
  • Arusha City Walking Tour: Markets, Culture & Hotel Pickup: $15
  • Personalized Arusha City Tour Culture History and Market: $20
  • Coffee Tourism & Banana Farms Experience: $20
  • Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
  • Arusha Mountain Village and Coffee Tour: $24
  • Arusha City Tour with Local Culture and Food Markets: $25
  • Arusha Town Tour: $30
  • Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Tanzanite Shopping Experience in Arusha: $45

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

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


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.77
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $5.90

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • "Private Half-Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids Saqqara and Memphis: $25
  • (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
  • 01 Day Tour to Pyramids Of Giza Memphis And Sakkara: $86
  • 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
  • 1 Day tour to Giza pyramids Memphis city Dahshur and Saqqara pyramids: $15
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Hour adventure in the Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Night 2 Days Bahariya Oasis Camp and Desert Tour in Cairo: $225
  • 1-Hour Private Felucca Boat Tour on the Nile: $9.00
  • 1-Hour Private Felucca Boat Tour on the Nile: $7.00
  • 1-Hour Quad Bike Tour Around the Giza Pyramids: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $11
    Cairo $1.35

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $69
  • Cairo Autumn Downtown Food & Bar Crawl with Drinks: $109


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

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Cairo?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Cairo, 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.