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

Should you visit Aswan or Positano?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Positano? 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 Positano?

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.

Positano

Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.

The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Positano 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 Positano is $238. 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 Positano in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $6.75
    Positano $158
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $14
    Positano $316
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Positano

Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Positano? 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 Positano


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 Positano Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $4.34
    Positano $8.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
  • 3-Days Travel Into The History to Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $299
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to temple of Abu Simbel: $230
  • Abu Simbel from Aswan in Egypt - Private Tour (guide and transfers Included): $209
  • Hurghada: Private Transfer To/From Aswan: $200
  • Private Transfer To/From Hurghada: $200
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $170
  • Private Transfer Aswan To Marsa-alam: $150
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $136
  • Private Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel: $105
  • Full Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan with Transfers and Guide: $100
  • Private Trip To Kom Ombo And Edfu Temple With Transfer From Aswan: $100

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Positano

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:


  • Bus Ticket
    $1.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano

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

  • Shared Transfer from Sorrento to Naples Airport: $41
  • Positano to Napoli Airport (NAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Shared Shuttle Transfer to Naples Train Station: $53
  • Private Transfer to Sorrento, Rome or Naples: $79
  • private transfer from Positano to Naples or reverse: $82
  • Amalfi and Positano cruise with transfer included: $94
  • Private Transfer from Positano to Sorrento Hotels: $95
  • Private Transfer from Positano to Naples: $109
  • private transfer from POSITANO to NAPLES: $109
  • Private Transfer Naples Positano or Praiano or vice versa, Via Pompei or Cantina: $112
  • Private direct transfer from Bomerano to Naples with local driver: $117
  • Private transfer from Positano to Naples : $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Positano?

Prices for flights to both Positano 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
    Positano $57

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 Positano

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


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $33
  • Pizza in a Restaurant
    $9.99
  • Sandwich in a Restaurant
    $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano

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

  • Gastronomical Amalfi Coast Hike with Cooking Class: $45
  • Cooking class with Pasta, mozzarella and Tiramisu with wine: $64
  • Cooking lesson: tagliatelle, mozzarella and tiramisu: $76
  • Amalfi Coast Cooking Class: Pasta Mozzarella & Tiramisu with Wine: $88
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Sant'Agnello with Show Cooking: $93
  • Sorrento Pizza School Activity in Italy: $98
  • Small Group Positano Cooking Class Gnocchi Tiramisù with Drinks : $147
  • Lemon & sea food cooking class at local's home: $169
  • Small Group Home Cooking Class with a Local: $191
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $191
  • Cesarine: Small group Pizza and Tiramisu Class in Positano: $195
  • Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner: $202

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $6.11
    Positano $65
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:

  • Abu Simbel Private Tour from Aswan : $110
  • Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
  • Aswan : Full Day Private Guided Tour to the Legend of Abu Simbel Temples: $125
  • Full Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan by Car: $200
  • Philae Temple Night Experience (Sound and Light show). : $65
  • Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam Tour: $44
  • Private Abu Simbel Temple tour : $123
  • Private Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan: $65
  • Private Luxor Day Tour from Aswan: $140
  • Sharing Tour To Abu Simbel From Aswan with Tour Guide : $50
  • 1 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $128
  • 2 Days Luxor Private Guided Tour From Aswan: $110

Typical Entertainment Prices in Positano

For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Chair & Umbrella at Spiaggia Grande
    $18
  • Day Trip of Capri & Amalfi
    $86
  • Sunset Cruise
    $26
  • Full Day Wine Tour
    $104
  • Cooking Class
    $70

Tours and Activities in Positano

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

  • From Sorrento: Positano Mini Cruise: $36
  • Positano Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $66
  • Sunset Tour Experience - Shared: $75
  • Amalfi Coast Sunset Group Boat Tour with Prosecco: $80
  • Golden Hour around Positano Sunset Group Cruise : $82
  • Unforgettable sunset tour in Positano: $87
  • From Amalfi Coast Sunset Cruise - Group Tour: $97
  • Sunset Group Boat Tour from Positano or Praiano: $104
  • Full Day Amalfi Small Group Cruise from Positano : $104
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Archaeologist Guide: $106
  • Sunset Boat Cruise from Maiori: $106
  • Sunset Boat Cruise from Amalfi: $106

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.24
    Positano $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Positano

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:


  • Bottle of Limoncello
    $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Positano

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:

  • 5 Wine Tastings with Typical Products in Sorrento Coast: $76
  • Small Group Positano Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $108
  • Pompeii Wine Tasting Tour from Positano: $246


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


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Positano?

Aswan has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Positano, 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.