Should I Visit Aswan or Durban for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Aswan or Durban?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Durban? 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 Durban?

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.

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Egypt, The Best River Cruises in Egypt, The Best G Adventures Tours to South Africa, and The Best Wildlife Tours to South Africa.

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Aswan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Aswan Prices
Egypt Prices

Durban Prices
South Africa Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Aswan $19

Durban $63

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $19, while the average daily cost in Durban is $63. 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 Durban in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Aswan $6.34

Durban $24
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Aswan $13

Durban $48

Compare Hotels in Aswan and Durban

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Durban? 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.

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 Durban Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Aswan $4.07

Durban $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
Private Transfer From Aswan to Marsa Alam or Vice Versa: $225
Private Transfer To/From Hurghada: $200
Aswan to Hurghada Private Door to Door Transfer: $140
Private Transfer from Aswan to Marsa Alam: $130
"Aswan to Hurghada: Luxe Private Transfer - Comfort Guaranteed ": $120
Private Transfer From Aswan To Luxor Included Stop Edfu,Kom ompo: $100
Philae Temple Sound and Light Show in Aswan with Transfer: $97
Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor by Private Vehicle or Retun: $95
Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $95
Family Friendly Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $95
VIP Aswan to Hurghada Transfer: Luxury and Comfort: $95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

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

Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $43
1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $45
Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $46
Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $46
Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Business Car: $78
Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $106

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Durban?

Prices for flights to both Durban 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 $9.31

Durban $27

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
Private Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village in Aswan: $44
Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $49
Private Aswan Nubian Cooking Class and Market Tour: $50
Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Aswan $5.74

Durban $16

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

$1.19

Tours and Activities in Aswan

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

Abu Simbel Private Tour from Aswan : $110
Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
Abu Simble Private day tour from Aswan: $85
Aswan : day tour, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk &High Dam: $30
Day Tour From Aswan To Luxor by Car: $90
Day Tour To Luxor From Aswan by Car: $60
Full Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan by Car: $210
Full-Day Private Tour of Aswan, Philae Temple and Obelisk: $95
Kayak Tour around the Temple of Philae & Heissa Island : $26
Nubian Village Tour in Aswan: $50
Nubian Village and Philae Temple Private Guided Tour From Aswan: $50
Private Abu Simbel Temple tour : $123

Tours and Activities in Durban

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

30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $5.76
Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $7.85
Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $8.32
1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $8.37
Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $9.94
Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $11
Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $11
Durban Walking Tour: $32
Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $48
Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $49
Local Markets and Culture Guided Walking Tour: $58
Durban Shore Excursion: Private Small Group Durban City Tour: $70

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Aswan $1.17

Durban $12

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Aswan or Durban?

Durban has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Durban, 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.

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

Should you visit Aswan or Durban?

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

Where Should I go: Aswan or Durban?

Aswan

Durban

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Aswan?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Aswan and Durban

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Durban?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Durban

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Aswan or Durban?

Related Articles for Aswan

Related Articles for Durban

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

Should you visit Aswan or Durban?

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

Where Should I go: Aswan or Durban?

Aswan

Durban

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Aswan?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Aswan and Durban

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Durban?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Tours and Activities in Durban

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Aswan or Durban?

Related Articles for Aswan

Related Articles for Durban

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