A Travel Price Comparison for Egypt Cairo vs. Alexandria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Alexandria?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Alexandria can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or Alexandria?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Cairo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $16. 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 Cairo and Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.27
    Alexandria $7.91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Alexandria $16
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Alexandria? 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 Cairo


Hotels in Alexandria


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.96
    Alexandria $2.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $17
  • Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
  • Cairo Airport Transfer to Hotel: $16
  • Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Paradise Hotel to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Private airport Transfer: $15
  • Private transfer from Sonesta Hotel, Tower& Casino Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private transfer from The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx Half Day Tour With Private Guide & Transfers : $135
  • Skip-the-line to Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza with Transfer: $24
  • 01 way Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cairo to Cairo Airport: $13

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

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


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Alexandria to Alexandria Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria Borg Al Arab Airport To Cairo: $130
  • Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Pick Up Transfers From Alexandria To Cairo: $130
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $72
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $74
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt or vice versa: $160
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private transfer from Alexandria to Luxor: $261
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $247

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Cairo 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
    Cairo $4.70
    Alexandria $6.39
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Cairo Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
  • Giza Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
  • Cairo Nile dinner cruise night show with belly dancer: $10
  • Dinner Nile Cruise belly dancer open buffer tanora show sailing on Nile: $11
  • Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $11
  • 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $13
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $13
  • Private "Cairo Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Nile" with Pickup: $13
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $14
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $14
  • Experience Magic A 4Star Cairo Dinner Cruise with Belly Dancer: $15
  • Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

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

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria food Tour taste the Egyptian traditional food: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.69
    Alexandria $3.46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.83
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.43

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.37
  • Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
  • Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
  • Full Day Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
  • Coptic Museum Entry Ticket : $5.20
  • Entry Ticket to the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace : $5.57
  • Private Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx : $6.00
  • Cairo Museum of Islamic Arts Entry Ticket: $7.00
  • Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.11
  • Museum of Islamic Art Entry Ticket : $7.35
  • Cairo Layover Tour To Egyptian Museum And Citadel: $8.00

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

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

  • Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • The Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Alexandria Library Entry Tickets With Pickup and Drop Off: $3.80
  • Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.39
  • Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Tickets: $4.39
  • Entry Ticket To The Citadel of Qaitbay: $4.39
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Catacomb of Kom eL Shoqafa: $6.31
  • Alexandria Library Skip the line Access Entry Ticket: $6.31
  • Qaitbay Citadel Entry Tickets: $6.31
  • Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Ticket with Pick and Drop Off: $14
  • Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket with Pick up and Drop Off: $14
  • Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket with Pick up and Drop Off: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.16
    Alexandria $1.33


When comparing the travel costs between Cairo and Alexandria, we can see that Cairo 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 Cairo Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Alexandria?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Alexandria, 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.


When is the best time to visit Cairo or Alexandria?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Cairo or Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Alexandria because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Alexandria. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Cairo is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Alexandria in the Autumn?

Both Alexandria and Cairo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Alexandria year-round.

Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Alexandria. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Cairo is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Alexandria fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Alexandria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Alexandria attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Alexandria. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Cairo is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Alexandria averages at about 13°C (55°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Alexandria in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Alexandria. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Alexandria throughout the year.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Alexandria. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Cairo is generally around the same temperature as Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Cairo

Cairo Alexandria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)