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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $30, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 $9.89
    Agra $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $20
    Agra $28
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 $5.43
    Agra $9.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada – Travel in Comfort: $275
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada in AC Cars Local Driver: $230
  • Private Transfer From Aswan Airport or Hotel to Hurghada by Car: $200
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $187
  • Marvel 3-Days Unique Guided Tours Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $167
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $160
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $160
  • Private Aswan to Luxor Transfer with Custom Temple Stops: $150
  • Aswan to Hurghada Private Door to Door Transfer: $140
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Marsa Alam: $130
  • Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Luxor Transfer: $115
  • Private Transfer Aswan to Luxor: $105

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

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

  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Day Tour with Transfer: $2.37
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $2.48
  • Create Your Own Itinerary - Private Tour & Transfer: $2.54
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Trip with Transfers: $3.38
  • Skip The Line Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Transfer: $4.28
  • India: Premier High Value Taj Mahal Tickets with Transfers: $4.51
  • From Delhi/Taj Mahal, Agra Tour with Transfers & Lunch: $4.51
  • Private Transfer from Agra railway station to Hotel In Agra: $5.50
  • Taj Mahal Skip-the-line Guided tour with Transfer: $6.31
  • Jaipur: Same Day Taj Mahal & Agra Fort with transfers: $7.20
  • Agra Airport to Agra Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $8.14
  • Agra Airport / Agra Train Station to Hotel Transfer: $8.45

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 $15
    Agra $24

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
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $65
  • Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75

Typical Food Prices in Agra

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


  • Breakfast for Two
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

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

  • Cooking class with taj: $5.64
  • Old Agra Market & Street Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $15
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk Ride: $18
  • Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $20
  • Agra Local Arts and Crafts and Food Tours with Guide: $20
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $20
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $21
  • Old City & Street Food Tour in Car, Tuk Tuk or Bike: $21
  • AI Cooking Class and Much More in a Local Family Home: $27
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $28
  • Jaisalmer: Thar Desert Camel Safari with Dinner: $28
  • Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $9.30
    Agra $17
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
    $1.20

Tours and Activities in Aswan

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

  • 2 Day Aswan Tour+Hotel Includ:Abu Simbel, Philae& Nubian Village: $190
  • 2 Hours Private Sound and Light Show Tour in Philae Temple: $85
  • 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
  • 2 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $270
  • 2-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor – Including Abu Simbel: $250
  • 3 Days and 2 Nights Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $299
  • 3 Hour Private Tour, Ancient Wonders in Philae Temple Tour: $55
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Nubian Village from Aswan: $33
  • 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
  • 3-Day Guided tour to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor from Cairo: $285
  • 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

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
    $6.36
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $16

Tours and Activities in Agra

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

  • Private Taj Mahal Tour with 5* Lunch from Delhi/Jaipur: $1.69
  • Taj Mahal and Agra Private Guided Tour from Delhi by AC Car: $2.00
  • Taj Mahal Tour Fast-Track Entry with Tickets: $2.21
  • Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Optional Add-ons: $2.25
  • Taj Mahal Budget Tour for Backpackers: $2.25
  • Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Skip-the-Line Tour with Options: $2.25
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise , Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour: $2.25
  • Agra:Taj Mahal Skip-The-Line Guided Tour with Breakfast: $2.25
  • Skip the Line Taj Mahal with photographer & Dress Rent: $2.25
  • Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by Car from Delhi: $2.25
  • Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Ticket: Sunrise & Daytime Options: $2.34
  • Skip-the-Line: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Guided Tour: $2.50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.06
    Agra $8.53


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.