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

Should you visit Arusha or Luxor?

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 Luxor 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 Luxor?

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.

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 G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, and The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor 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 Luxor 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 Luxor in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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 Arusha


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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Luxor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Luxor $5.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • private transfer one way from Luxor to Hurghada: $75
  • private transfer from Luxor to Aswan by private Vehicle or Retuen: $85
  • private Transfer from Marsa alam To Luxor: $63
  • private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $85
  • private Transfer from Luxor airport to any hotel: $35
  • luxor to Marsa Alam-or vice ( Private Transfer ): $105
  • VIP Luxor Airport Transfer: $29
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $40
  • Transfers From Luxor To Hurghada: $140
  • Transfer from luxor to marsa alam: $150
  • Transfer from luxor to Aswan passing by Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (Optional): $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Luxor?

Prices for flights to both Luxor 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
    Luxor $15
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 Luxor

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

  • 3-Hour Egyptian Cooking Experience with a Local Family in Luxor: $10
  • Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $14
  • Open-Air Farm Luxor Lunch or Dinner Experience in a Green: $15
  • Day Tour to Local Farm with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $25
  • Enjoy lunch or dinner al fresco at Luxor Farm: $30
  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House of Luxor: $45
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • 3-Hour Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $50
  • Cooking Session with Family in Luxor with lunch: $50
  • Private Luxor Temple Night Tour with Felucca Sunset & Dinner: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Luxor $9.45

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 Luxor

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


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.52
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.48
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.15

Tours and Activities in Luxor

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

  • (2 nights / 3 days )Nile cruise from Luxor to aswan: $300
  • (Private) Half Day Tour Luxor Temple and Karnak Temples: $13
  • 1 Day tour from luxor to safaga Snorkling boat trip: $50
  • 1-Day Day Tour from Temples of Luxor to Aswan: $179
  • 2 Day Luxor Tour East and West Bank Highlights: $24
  • 2 Day Private Tour of Luxor: $220
  • 2 Day Trip West Bank & East Bank, Luxor Highlights Tours & Hotel: $210
  • 2 Day in Luxor tours: $336
  • 2 Days Private Luxor Tour: $190
  • 2 Days Private Tour Karnak & Luxor Temples, and Luxor West bank: $101
  • 2 Days Sightseeing Tour of Luxor Highlights: $140
  • 2 Days Tour from Luxor to Abu Simbel include admission& Lunch: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Luxor $2.82


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Luxor, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Luxor.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Luxor?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha 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.