Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Aswan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Aswan or Luxor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Aswan or Luxor? 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 Luxor?
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.
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
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 in Egypt, and The Best River Cruises in Egypt.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAswan $16Luxor $17
The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $16, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $17. 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 Luxor in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAswan $6.61Luxor $7.47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAswan $13Luxor $15
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Luxor
Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Luxor? 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 Luxor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aswan $4.25Luxor $3.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Aswan to Luxor Private Car Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $120
- Transfer Aswan to Abu Simbel ( Private ): $36
- Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $21
- 3-Day Guided tours to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor & Train and Transfers : $167
- Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
- Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $19
- Aswan Airport Private Departure Transfer: $19
- Aswan Airport Transfer: $7.40
- Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel: $8.00
- Aswan Airport Transfer to Hotels : $40
- Aswan Airport Transfers: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
-
Taxi Ride$0.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $5.00
- Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
- Private Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor Airport: $7.00
- Luxor Airport to Aswan, Hurghada Transfer pickup/drop off 1 Way: $7.00
- Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $7.00
- Luxor - Private Arrival and departure Transfer (east bank): $7.00
- Luxor Airport Private Luxury Transfer (Arrival or Departure): $7.20
- Luxor Airport Departure: Convenient Private Hotel Transfer: $7.20
- Private Transfer From A Hotel in Luxor To Luxor Airport: $7.99
- Private Transfer : from / to Luxor Airport (any Hotel): $8.00
- One Way Private Transfer from and to Luxor Airport: $8.00
- Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Luxor?
Prices for flights to both Luxor 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 dayAswan $5.61Luxor $5.72
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 Aswan Nubian Cooking Class and Market Tour: $50
- Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
- Dinner In Nile Cruise in Aswan: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner : $19
- Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House of Luxor: $30
- Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
- Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $43
- Felucca and Luxor Nile Cruise Dinner: $45
- Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Nile in Luxor: $50
- Felucca Ride at Sunset and Dinner at an Egyptian House in Luxor: $55
- Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
- Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca : $64
- Full Day Private Tour in Luxor w/Authentic Egyptian Cooking Class: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aswan $5.99Luxor $6.60
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$1.24
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- Temple Of Kalabsha Entry Tickets: $3.80
- Kalabsha Temple Entry Tickets: $4.59
- Unfinished Obelisk Entry Ticket: $5.60
- Philae Temple Entry Ticket: $11
- The High Dam In Aswan Entry Ticket With Pickup : $13
- Aswan High Dam Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $13
- Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
- Unfinished Obelisk Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $16
- City Tour in Aswan by Bicycle : $17
- Private Day Tour to Phalie Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk: $17
- Unfinished Obelisk Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $19
- Day tour to Abu Simbel Temples from any point in Aswan: $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Boat Ride (for 2)$0.56
-
Temple Karnak for Two$2.69
-
Camel Ride for Two$1.24
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Valley Of The Queens Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Valley Of The Kings Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Mummification Museum Entry Ticket: $5.10
- Souvenir Shopping Tour, Luxor: $5.13
- Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
- Guided Day Tour Visit Habu Temple Valley Of Workers and Queens: $6.40
- Luxor Day Tour visit East and West Nile Banks: $6.40
- Luxor Day Tours To East Bank & West Bank: $6.40
- Historical Day Tour To Luxor And Mummification Museums: $6.40
- Half Day East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples: $6.40
- Day Tour In Luxor To East And West Bank Of The Nile: $6.40
- Day Tour To Habu Temple Valley Of Workers And Queens: $6.40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAswan $1.22Luxor $2.22
When comparing the travel costs between Aswan and Luxor, we can see that Luxor is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aswan Expensive? and Is Luxor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aswan or Luxor?
Luxor has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Luxor, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.