Which place is cheaper, Basel or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cairo or Basel?
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 Basel 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 Basel?
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.
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.
-
Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesBasel Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $30Basel $328
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $30, while the average daily cost in Basel is $328. 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 Basel in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Basel $167
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Basel $334
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Basel
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Basel? 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.
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 Basel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.46Basel $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
-
Metro Ride$0.08
-
Taxi Ride$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Arrival transfer from Cairo airport: $5.00
- Private Transfer: Cairo Airport Arrival Any Hotel in Cairo Giza: $5.60
- Private City Transfer to Cairo and Giza: $8.20
- Cairo airport or Sphinx airport transfer: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Cairo International Airport: $10
- Cairo Airport Private Transfer ( One-Way comfort ride ): $10
- 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 InterContinental Cairo Citystars to Cairo airport: $12
- Cairo Airport Arrival or Departure private Transfer: $12
- Private Pickup transfer from Hotel Royal to Cairo airport: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) by MB Van: $123
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Business Car: $111
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Badenweiler - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Basel - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Basel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $185
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg - Round Trip Private Transfer: $249
- Basel Airport (BSL) to Feldberg Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $124
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $111
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $123
- Basel to Basel Airpor (BSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $92
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $111
- Departure Private Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Luxury Van: $123
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Basel?
Prices for flights to both Basel 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 dayCairo $16Basel $123
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
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $6.30
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $6.30
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $6.30
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $6.82
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $7.20
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $7.20
- Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.10
- Giza Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.10
- Giza pyramids, Sphinx, ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise&shopping: $8.10
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.10
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basel
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Basel.
- Self-Guided Food Tour: $49
- Traditional Swiss Dinner: Cheese Fondue, Appetizers/Dessert: $162
- Cooking Class: Homemade Italian Lasagna Experience by Locals: $187
- Homemade Italian Pizza & Focaccia Experience with a Local Family: $194
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.27Basel $43
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$0.76
-
Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$5.89
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full experience Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, inside pyramids &tombs: $2.00
- Top Day Giza Pyramids the Top complete Pyramids Tour in Cairo: $3.50
- VIP Shopping Private Tour Papyrus Perfume Bazaars and Cotton: $3.60
- Luxury Private Shopping Experience at Khan El Khalili: $3.75
- Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $3.90
- Shopping tour In Governmental Bazaars include guide's advisor: $4.00
- Half Day Private Tour of the Giza Pyramids with Camel Ride, Lunch: $4.00
- Grand Egyptian Museum&Giza Pyramids All-Inclusive Tour with Lunch: $4.00
- VIP Pyramid Tour Inside the 3rd Pyramid with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.00
- Cairo shopping advisor tour papyrus ,perfume ,golden cartouche , Egyptian cotton: $4.50
- Customized Shopping Tour and Egyptian Souvenir from Cairo Giza hotels: $4.50
- Egyptian Spicy Shop and Egyptian Cotton Shopping Private Tour: $4.50
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.24
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $6.47
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.06
- Basel Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.46
- Gundeli Deliciously Sustainable Tour: $10
- Responsible Shopping Tour in Basel's Old Town: $10
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $12
- Swiss Cheese Tasting Experience | Basel: $19
- Basel Historical Old Town Tour: $20
- Swiss Cheese Tasting Experience | Basel: $21
- Swiss Chocolate Tasting Experience | Basel: $22
- Tour on the vintage tram: $26
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.34Basel $38
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Alsace wine tour & medieval villages small group guided tour: $368
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and Basel 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 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Basel?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Basel, 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 Basel?
Basel has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cairo or Basel in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Basel. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Basel during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Basel. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Basel 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Basel in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Basel. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year.
In October, Cairo is generally much warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Basel. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Basel. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Basel 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Basel in the Winter?
Both Basel and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. Cairo is much warmer than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Basel during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Basel. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Basel 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Basel in the Spring?
Both Basel and Cairo during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Basel. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Basel 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Basel and Cairo
| Cairo | Basel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.