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

Should you visit Aswan or Essaouira?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Essaouira? 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 Essaouira?

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.

Essaouira

Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.

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 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Essaouira 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 $19, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $55. 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 Essaouira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $6.37
    Essaouira $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $13
    Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Essaouira

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Essaouira? 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 Essaouira


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 Essaouira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $4.09
    Essaouira $1.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
  • Nile Adventure Transfer from Aswan to Luxor by Felucca and Car: $280
  • Private Transfer From Aswan to Marsa Alam or Vice Versa: $225
  • Private Transfer From Aswan Airport or Hotel to Hurghada by Car: $200
  • Luxury Private Transfer: Aswan to Marsa Alam - Nile to Red Sea: $170
  • Marvel 3-Days Unique Guided Tours Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers : $167
  • Aswan to Abu Simbel - Private Transfer (Price: Per Vehicle): $165
  • Abu Simbel from Aswan in Egypt - Private Tour (guide and transfers Included): $150
  • Aswan to Hurghada Private Door to Door Transfer: $140
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $132
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $120
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $120

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira

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

  • Private Transfer Essaouira-Essaouira Airport: $20
  • Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $21
  • Airport Transfer From Essaouira Airport To Medina: $21
  • Transfer Essaouira Airport to Essaouira: $21
  • Private transfer Kaouki to Essaouira or Essaouira to Kaouki: $21
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $22
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $26
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $31
  • Guided Quad Ride in Essaouira (1 Hour). (free transfer): $35
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport : $36
  • 1-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $36
  • Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Essaouira?

Prices for flights to both Essaouira 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 $9.36
    Essaouira $23

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
  • Private Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village in Aswan: $44
  • Nubian Dinner at the Nubian village : $47
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $49
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $280

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

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


  • Baklava
    $1.39
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.50
  • Fish for Lunch
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira

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

  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • Traditional Moroccan and Berber Cooking Classes : $53
  • l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $63
  • Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $66
  • Essaouirra cooking class: $67
  • Essaouira Cooking Class: $68
  • 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $191
  • 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $5.77
    Essaouira $12
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:

  • 3 Hour Private Tour, Ancient Wonders in Philae Temple Tour : $55
  • Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
  • Abu Simble Private day tour from Aswan: $85
  • Aswan OR Luxor : Full Day Private Guided Tour to Kom Ombo and Edfu temples: $99
  • Day Tour To Luxor From Aswan by Car: $60
  • Exploration of Philae Temple and High Dam in Aswan Private Tour: $29
  • Full Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan by Car: $210
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Aswan, Philae Temple and Obelisk: $95
  • Full-Day Private Tour to Abu Simbel Temples in Aswan : $84
  • High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour: $20
  • Kayak Tour around the Temple of Philae & Heissa Island : $26
  • Nubian Village Day Tour In Aswan: $25

Tours and Activities in Essaouira

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

  • From Marrakech : Ouzoud waterfalls guided trip and boat tour: $10
  • Souk Had Draa: Private Tour and Traditional Moroccan Breakfast: $21
  • Essaouira Donkey Tours : $21
  • Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $26
  • Private City Tour: $26
  • Full-Day Essaouira Tour from Marrakech: $26
  • KiteSurfing or Surfing Experience in Essaouira: $27
  • Experience the Ultimate Adventure with our Surf Lessons in Essaouira: $29
  • Historical & Cultural Sightseeing Tour - half day: $35
  • Explore Essaouira's Secrets: A Guided Tour with a Local!: $35
  • Quad Adventure in 1 Hour: $36
  • Essaouira 2-Hour Camel Adventure Ride: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.17
    Essaouira $9.14


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


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Essaouira?

Aswan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Essaouira, 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.