Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cairo or Bucharest?
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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest?
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.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Bucharest $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $137. 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 Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.36Bucharest $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Bucharest $126
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Bucharest
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Bucharest? 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 Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.99Bucharest $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $16
- Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
- Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx With Camel Ride,Lunch and Hotels Transfers: $27
- Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
- Private transfer from The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx Half Day Tour With Private Guide & Transfers : $135
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer in Cairo or Giza: $49
- Transfer from Anywhere in Cairo to Cairo International Airport: $25
- Transfers From Cairo Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from/to Cairo International Airport: $26
- 01 way Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cairo to Cairo Airport: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest Airport Private Transfer by Van : $76
- ATV Adrenaline Race in Carpathian with Private Transfer: $140
- Airport Bucharest Transfer: $54
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $43
- Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $65
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $43
- Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van: $162
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $51
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $65
- Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP: $239
- Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $282
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Bucharest?
Prices for flights to both Bucharest 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
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Food Meals for one dayCairo $4.75Bucharest $58
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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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, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $8.78
- Cairo/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $15
- VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
- Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
- Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
- All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
- Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
- Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
- Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Cooking Class traditional food: $65
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $75
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $84
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $86
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $98
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $201
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $227
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Bucharest $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.84
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.49
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.27
- Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
- Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Essential oils Bazar Cotton : $4.70
- Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
- New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
- All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
- Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan Entry Ticket: $5.10
- Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.15
- Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
- El Sultan Hassan Mosque Entry Ticket: $7.08
- Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.08
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.31
- Tour Kings and Palaces of Bucharest: $11
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $13
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $17
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $19
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $21
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
- Roma Culture and History Guided Walking Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Bucharest $9.17
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: $59
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $45
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $48
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $51
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Bucharest?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Bucharest, 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 Bucharest?
Bucharest 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 Bucharest in the Summer?
Both Bucharest and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Bucharest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Bucharest averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Bucharest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Bucharest during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 289 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Bucharest. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Bucharest 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Bucharest in the Autumn?
Both Bucharest 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Cairo is generally much warmer than Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Bucharest. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 177 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Bucharest. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Bucharest 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Bucharest in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Bucharest. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bucharest can be very cold during winter. Cairo is much warmer than Bucharest in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Bucharest fluctuates around -1°C (29°F).
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Bucharest during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Bucharest. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Bucharest -1°C (29°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Bucharest in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Bucharest. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than Bucharest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Bucharest averages at about 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Bucharest. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 185 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Bucharest. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Bucharest 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bucharest and Cairo
| Cairo | Bucharest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.