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.
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 The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground.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.
Which city 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 $34, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $34. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cairo and Alexandria in more detail.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
-
Metro Ride
$0.21
-
Taxi Ride
$0.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
-
2 Cairo and giza day tours with round transfer from airport:
$131
-
2 Days Tours package Include airport transfers (Cairo & Alexandria):
$182
-
2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including 2 airport Transfers:
$130
-
2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including Free Transfer from Airport:
$101
-
2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including Free airport Transfers:
$190
-
2 day tours in Cairo with round airport transfer:
$132
-
2 days tour in cairo and Giza and transfer from cairo airport to hotel Free:
$115
-
2 days tours in Cairo with round transfer from airport:
$140
-
2-Day Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour with Free Airport Transfers:
$263
-
3 Days White & Black Deserts Safari Trip & Cairo Transfer Round Trip:
$280
-
3 Days White & Black Deserts Safari Trip & Cairo Transfer Round Trip:
$280
-
3-Day Private Tour: Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria with Airport Transfer:
$320
Typical Local Transportation prices in Alexandria
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Alexandria:
-
Taxi to Train Station
$0.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:
-
Alexandria AIRPORT ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
$36
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$45
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$33
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$36
-
Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers:
$40
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port - Standard:
$41
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – 15 Seater:
$57
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – 25 Seater:
$117
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – Premium:
$37
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport - Standard:
$53
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport – 15 Seater:
$87
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport – Premium:
$66
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 $9.63
Alexandria $13
Typical Food prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
-
Delicious food tour in Cairo:
$15
-
Enjoy a dinner on the boat in the River Nile.:
$19
-
Enjoy a dinner on the boat in the River Nile:
$19
-
Cairo 2-Hour Nile River Cruise with Dinner and Pickup:
$20
-
Cairo dinner cruise includes dinner belly dancing show pickup & all transfers:
$21
-
Dinner on a boat in Luxor Nile Cruise with oriental dance:
$21
-
Dinner on the river nile and party:
$23
-
Nile Cruise Dinner at the Nile with Oriental Show:
$24
-
Dinner on the river nile:
$25
-
Dinner on the River Nile with Pick-up:
$25
-
Special Bedouin Dinner+ watching oriental show:
$26
-
Cairo Food Tour:
$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.
-
Private Full-Day Food Tour of Alexandria with Hotel Pick Up:
$32
-
Alexandria Food Tour:
$36
-
Amazing Alexandria Food Tour:
$55
-
Alexandria Food Tour:
$60
-
Sound&light show,Giza pyramids-Dinner on the Nile:
$94
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Giza Pyramids and Solar Boat Museum Half Day Private Tour:
$7.48
-
Cairo City Tour:
$8.58
-
Private Tour of the Pyramids:
$9.71
-
Pyramids Day Tour:
$10
-
Day_tour :Pyramids of Giza & Great Sphinx:
$11
-
Virtual Tour of Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum:
$12
-
Egypt Virtual Tour of Tomb of King Tut:
$12
-
Private Day Tour at Pyramids, Sakkara And Dahshur:
$13
-
Giza Pyramids & Sphinx with Camel Ride Private Tour:
$13
-
Papyrus Manufacturing Tour and learn Papyrus making in Egypt:
$13
-
Papyrus Manufacturing Tour and learn Papyrus making in Egypt:
$13
-
Papyrus Manufacturing Tour and Papyrus Making Demonstration:
$13
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Online Virtual Tour Of Alexandria and Mt. Vernon:
$19
-
Alexandria Walking Tour-Walk Like Egyptian:
$23
-
half day tour to Montazah Palace and gardens:
$25
-
half day tour to The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria):
$27
-
Private Day Tour to Alexandria From Alexandria:
$30
-
Alexandria Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
-
Tour in Alex:
$32
-
Alexandria Day Tour:
$38
-
Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria:
$40
-
Private Day Tour to Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Monatazah Palace In Alexandria:
$50
-
Visit Mount Vernon by Bike: Self-guided Ride with Optional Boat Cruise Return:
$50
-
Alexandria private excursion tour from Cairo:
$50
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
-
Alexandria Bar Hunt: Ye Olde Pub Crawl through Old Town:
$12
-
Haunted Old Town Alexandria Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$26
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.
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