A Travel Price Comparison for Egypt Aswan vs. Luxor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Luxor or Aswan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $17, while the average daily cost in Luxor is $18. 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 person
    Aswan $6.87
    Luxor $7.77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $14
    Luxor $16
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.

Hotels in Aswan


Hotels in Luxor


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 $4.42
    Luxor $3.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $35
  • Transfer Service to Luxor from Aswan: $55
  • 3-Days Travel Into The History to Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $299
  • Abu Simbel Shared Transfer: $20
  • Abu Simbel from Aswan in Egypt - Private Tour (guide and transfers Included): $209
  • Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $12
  • Arrival Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $6.40
  • Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $19
  • Aswan Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Aswan Airport Private Departure Transfer: $19
  • Aswan Airport Private Transfer: $6.00
  • Aswan Airport Private Transfer: $24

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Private Transfer From Luxor city or Luxor International Airport: $5.00
  • Luxor Airport Private Transfer: $6.00
  • Luxor Airport Private Departure Transfer: $6.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $6.40
  • Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or to Nile Cruise: $7.00
  • Luxor Hotel Transfer to Luxor International Airport: $7.02
  • Private Luxury Transfer from Airport Luxor/Hotel : $7.20
  • Pickup Transfers And Taxi Services From Hotel In Luxor To Luxor Airport: $7.50
  • Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
  • Luxor Airport Transfer to Hotel: $8.00
  • Luxor Private Transfer East Bank hotels to 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 day
    Aswan $5.84
    Luxor $5.94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Private Aswan Nubian Cooking Class and Market Tour: $30
  • Dinner at Soleih restaurant by vehicle: $33
  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $38
  • Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner : $50
  • Private Half Day Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner From Luxor: $52
  • Luxor Nile Cruise Dinner: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • Luxor & Mummification Museums & City Tour by H. Carriage & Dinner: $70
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Enjoy Half Day Sunset Felucca Ride and Banana Island with Lunch or Dinner: $90
  • Full Day Private Tour in Luxor w/Authentic Egyptian Cooking Class: $93
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $6.23
    Luxor $6.87
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
    $1.29

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
  • Temple Of Kalabsha Entry Tickets: $3.80
  • Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan Entry Ticket: $6.41
  • 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
  • Philae temple entry ticket: $16
  • City Tour in Aswan by Bicycle : $17
  • 2 Hours Tour in Philae Temple: $19
  • Horse Carriage Ride with a Private Tour in Aswan: $20
  • 6-Hour Private Tour Aswan , High Dam , Obelisk , Philae Temple : $20
  • Tour Elephantine Island Agha Khan and Botanic Garden by Felucca : $20

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)
    $0.58
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.79
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.29

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Temple of Khnum Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Ramesseum Mortuary Temple of Ramses II Entry Ticket: $4.56
  • Valley Of The Kings Entry Ticket: $4.60
  • Entry Ticket To Valley of the Queens: $4.60
  • Karnak Temple Private Guided Tour: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Skip-the-Line Valley Of The Queens Entry Ticket: $7.38
  • Luxor Museum Entry Ticket: $7.60
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor Exploring Workshops and Markets: $8.00
  • Luxor Museum Entry Ticket: $8.70
  • Karnak Temple And Luxor Temple Private Day Tour : $9.16
  • Temple Of Queen Hatshepsut Entry Ticket: $9.20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.27
    Luxor $2.31


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.