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

Should you visit Aswan or Agra?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Agra? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Aswan or Agra?

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.

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Aswan?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $16, while the average daily cost in Agra is $44. 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 Aswan and Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $6.75
    Agra $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $14
    Agra $32
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Agra? 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 Aswan


Hotels in Agra


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: Aswan Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $4.34
    Agra $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
  • 3-Days Travel Into The History to Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $299
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to temple of Abu Simbel: $230
  • Hurghada: Private Transfer To/From Aswan: $200
  • Private Transfer To/From Hurghada: $200
  • VIP Aswan to Hurghada Transfer: Luxury and Comfort: $190
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $170
  • Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada : $170
  • Private Transfer From Aswan Airport or Hotel to Hurghada: $160
  • Private Transfer Aswan To Marsa-alam: $150
  • Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $140
  • Transfer from Aswan To Luxor: $114

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

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

  • From Pickup/Dropoff Taj Mahal/Airport/hotel transfer: $1.20
  • From Delhi/Taj Mahal & Agra Day Trip with Transfers: $3.60
  • Delhi: Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Tour with Pickup & Transfer.: $4.20
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Half-Day Tour with Transfer: $5.40
  • Airport Transfer with Pickup and Drop-off: $5.40
  • Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
  • Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour With Guide & Transfer: $5.92
  • Round Trip Transfers Between Agra Hotels & Agra Airport AGR: $6.14
  • Taj Mahal Tour with Car, Tour Guide & Hotel Transfers: $9.95
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Agra Day Trip with Guide & Transfer: $12
  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour with Transfer: $12
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra and Aswan 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
    Aswan $5.73
    Agra $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Private Aswan Nubian Cooking Class and Market Tour: $30
  • Dinner at Soleih restaurant by vehicle: $33
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan : $90
  • Dinner In Nile Cruise in Aswan: $150

Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $2.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

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

  • Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $6.00
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $12
  • Home Hosted Luch or dinner by Indian local Family: $18
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra Including Lunch or Dinner: $20
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $22
  • Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family: $23
  • Old City Food Tour with Local Guide and Tastings: $23
  • Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $25
  • The Spirit of Agra - Old Market Walking and Food Tour: $26
  • Cooking classes Tour Including Pickup And Dropping To Hotel: $28
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $6.11
    Agra $20
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
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Aswan

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

  • 3 Hour Private Tour, Ancient Wonders in Philae Temple Tour : $55
  • Abu Simbel Private Tour from Aswan : $110
  • Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
  • Day Tour To Luxor From Aswan by Car: $60
  • Exploration of Philae Temple and High Dam in Aswan Private Tour: $45
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Aswan, Philae Temple and Obelisk: $95
  • Guided Tour of Philae Temple in Aswan Egypt: $22
  • Nubian Village Tour - Animalia : $84
  • Nubian Village Tour in Aswan: $36
  • Philae Temple Night Experience (Sound and Light show). : $65
  • Private Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan: $65
  • Private Luxor Day Tour from Aswan: $140

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $7.18
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $18

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • Mughal Carpet Co. Agra :- Handmade Carpet Demonstration Tour: $0.84
  • Handmade Marble Demonstration Tour: $1.02
  • Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Entry Guided Tour: $1.19
  • Agra : Taj Mahal tour with guide: $1.20
  • Skip-the-line entry ticket on Taj Mahal tour: $1.20
  • Agra:Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Guided Tour with Free Breakfast: $1.20
  • Private Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Tour: $1.80
  • Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Guided Tour with Multi Options: $1.86
  • Sunset Taj Mahal Tour with Skip-The-Line & Lateral Entry: $2.04
  • Private Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Tour with Options: $2.10
  • Taj Mahal and Mausoleum Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry: $2.10
  • From Delhi: Sunrise Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Baby Taj Tour: $2.10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.24
    Agra $9.63


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Agra, we can see that Agra is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aswan is in Africa and Agra is in Asia, 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 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 Agra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Agra 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 Aswan Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Agra?

Agra has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Agra, 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.