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

Should you visit Aswan or Barcelona?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Barcelona? 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 Barcelona?

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.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.

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 Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Barcelona 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 Barcelona is $167. 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 Barcelona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $6.75
    Barcelona $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $14
    Barcelona $206
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Barcelona

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Barcelona? 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 Barcelona


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 Barcelona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $4.34
    Barcelona $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan: $5.00
  • Aswan Airport Private Transfer: $6.00
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $6.40
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Station Aswan Transfer To hotel: $8.00
  • Private Aswan Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
  • Private Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel : $10
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Anywhere in Aswan: $10
  • Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Private Transfer: $10
  • Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona

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


  • 10 Trip Metro Ticket
    $8.36
  • Airport Bus
    $5.36
  • Metro
    $2.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:

  • One-Way Shared Transfer to/from Airport and City: $9.84
  • Roca Village Shopping Mall Transfers: $13
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Center Port : $17
  • Transfer departure Shuttle Barcelona City to Barcelona Port: $18
  • Barcelona Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Private Transfer: $25
  • Transfer arrival Shuttle Barcelona Airport to La Pineda: $27
  • Transfer to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona: $27
  • Taxi - Cab - Private transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona airport: $28
  • Barcelona Private Airport Arrival Transfer to City Cente: $29
  • Private Transfer: El-Prat Airport (BCN) to Barcelona City Center: $31
  • Book Barcelona City to Cruise Port Private Transfer: $31
  • Barcelona Airport Departure Transfers: $31

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Barcelona?

Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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
    Barcelona $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Dinner at Soleih restaurant by vehicle: $33
  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Nubian lunch Or Dinner at Nubian village : $75
  • 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 Barcelona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Hot Cocoa & Churro
    $4.45
  • Sandwich
    $1.82
  • Baguette & Horchata
    $4.07
  • Tapas on the beach
    $8.88
  • Gelatto
    $2.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona

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

  • Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
  • Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
  • Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
  • Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
  • Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
  • Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $6.11
    Barcelona $36
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:

  • The High Dam In Aswan Entry Ticket: $2.53
  • Unfinished Obelisk Entry Ticket: $5.60
  • Philae Temple Entry Ticket: $11
  • Aswan High Dam Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $13
  • Philae Temple Complex Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $13
  • Temple Of Kalabsha Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $14
  • Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
  • Philae temple entry ticket: $16
  • City Tour in Aswan by Bicycle : $16
  • Private Day Tour to Phalie Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk: $17
  • Unfinished Obelisk Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $17
  • Kom Ombo Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off From Aswan: $19

Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona

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


  • Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass
    $45
  • Souvenir Gaudi Book
    $9.16
  • Admission to Museo Picasso
    $6.43

Tours and Activities in Barcelona

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

  • Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $2.14
  • History & Legends Comedy Tour: Barcelona Gothic Quarter: $2.94
  • Gaudí Free Tour in English: $3.21
  • Barcelona Free Tour: Gaudi Highlights and La Sagrada Famila: $3.21
  • Alternative Free Tour of the Raval: $3.21
  • Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour in English: $3.21
  • Gaudí Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
  • Barcelona Gothic Quarter: History&Legends Comedy Tour: $3.26
  • Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Barcelona Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Tour: $3.27
  • Sagrada Familia Exterior Free Tour: Stories, Secrets & Symbolism: $3.27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.24
    Barcelona $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:

  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
  • Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
  • Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
  • Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
  • Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
  • Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
  • Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona is in Europe, 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Barcelona, 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.