A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Antananarivo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Antananarivo?

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 Antananarivo 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 Antananarivo?

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.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar.


Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $32, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $97. 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 Antananarivo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $11
    Antananarivo $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    Antananarivo $62
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Antananarivo

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Antananarivo? 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 Antananarivo


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 Antananarivo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.62
    Antananarivo $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Arrival transfer from Cairo airport: $5.00
  • Private Airport or City Transfer to Cairo and Giza hotels: $5.37
  • Private Transfer To/From Cairo Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer: Cairo Airport (CAI) to Hotel in Cairo/Giza: $11
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport: $12
  • Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Pyramids Hotel to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Novotel Cairo El Borg: $12
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel Grand Royal: $12
  • Private transfer from Sonesta Hotel, Tower& Casino Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Transfer in Cairo to Explore the City and Beyond: $12
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Cairo Paradise Hotel: $12
  • Private Pickup transfer from Almasa Hotels to Cairo airport: $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $40
  • Safe Transfer Airport - Hotel in Antananarivo Madagascar: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Antananarivo?

Prices for flights to both Antananarivo 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 $17
    Antananarivo $52
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.

  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $4.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $7.00
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride: $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.00
  • Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00
  • 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing: $8.00
  • 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.00
  • Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.00
  • Cairo (Dance, Sing and Eat ) Nile Dinner Cruise Show &Open Buffet: $9.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

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

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $8.65
    Antananarivo $25
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
    $0.80
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.16

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Luxury Private Tour Giza PyramidsandGrand Egyptian Museum Felucca: $1.50
  • Full experience Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, inside pyramids &tombs: $2.00
  • Private Day tour in Khan Elkhalele Market with Shopping and Lunch: $3.00
  • Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids Memphis Dahshur Pyramids: $3.00
  • Giza Pyramids Tour in Egypt: $4.00
  • Best-Selling Giza Pyramids Tour: Camel Ride, Lunch &Private Guide: $4.00
  • Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx Day Tour: $4.00
  • VIP All-Inclusive Grand Egyptian Museum,Pyramids & Quad Bike Tour: $4.00
  • Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx & Mummies Museum Private Guided Tour: $4.00
  • Private Shopping Customizable Tour from Cairo and Giza with lunch: $4.00
  • Private Grand Egyptian Museum and Pyramids Tour: $4.50
  • Top : 5 Hours Day Tour Pyramid Sakkara Pyramid Memphis City: $5.00

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • Antananarivo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $37
  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $38
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $69
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $146
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $158
  • Night Fun Tour of Antananarivo: $176
  • Madagascar Day Tour Lemurs Park and Croc Farm from Antananarivo: $187
  • Madagascar: Customizable Tour with Car Rental Antananarivo: $206
  • Full Day Madagascar Tour with Lemurs' Park, Geysers and Waterfall: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.41
    Antananarivo $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Antananarivo, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Antananarivo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antananarivo than you might in Cairo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Antananarivo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Antananarivo?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Antananarivo, 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.