Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City?
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 Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City?
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.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Ho Chi Minh City $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $81. 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 Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.36Ho Chi Minh City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Ho Chi Minh City $98
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City? 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 Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.99Ho Chi Minh City $15
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:
- From Private Day Trip to Luxor w/ Transfer & Flights: $659
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- 3-Days Private Guided Tour Package Covering all Cairo,Lunch and Airport Transfer: $300
- Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh: One-Way or Return Private Transfer: $290
- Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
- Full-Day Private Trip to Fayoum from Cairo, with Transfer: $286
- 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
- From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $275
- 2-Day Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
- 2-Day-One night Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
- Private 3 Days in Giza Cairo and Alexandria including Free airport transfers: $250
- Cairo : Marvel the Camping in the White & Black Deserts & Cairo Private Transfer: $250
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.40
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Taxi From Airport$7.99
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer (From Hotels in Ho Chi Minh to Airport) Private 4 Seats Car: $38
- Airport Transfer (From Hotels in Ho Chi Minh to Airport) Private 7 Seats Car: $47
- Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 4 Seats Car: $35
- Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 7 Seats Car: $41
- Airport Transfers (Airport - Ho Chi Minh,Private 16 Seats Car): $52
- Airport Transfers From Airport to Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 7 seat Car: $46
- Airport transfer from TAN SON NHAT airport to HO CHI MINH: $23
- Bus transfer between Sai Gon and Da Lat - “City of Flowers”: $27
- CONVENIENT AIRPORT TRANSFER by PRIVATE CAR or SCOOTERS | Kiss Tours: $28
- Fusion Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: CAR 7s PICK UP <-> HOTEL (one way transfer): $22
- HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: Car 16s pick up <-> hotel (one way transfer): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City 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 $4.75Ho Chi Minh City $14
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.
- Night Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show on The Nile With Pickup: $8.00
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
- Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $15
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $18
- 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
- Cairo Private Food Tour and Egyptian Tea: $22
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.27
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Pizza$5.19
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Sweet Rice$1.20
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Pork Sandwich$0.60
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.78
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Western Lunch (for Two)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour by Motorbike/ Car with Student : $19
- Top Niche Walking Street Food Tour with Uni Student: $26
- Private Walking Food Tour with Local Students : $26
- Saigon: Backstreets Private Walking Food Tour & 10 Tastings: $27
- Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $28
- Food Tour by Scooter with Eleven Tastings: $28
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike +Sightseeing SAFE & FUN: $28
- Saigon Private Walking Food Tour with Thirteen Tastings: $28
- Saigon Private Eleven-Tastings Food Tour by Scooter: $28
- Ho Chi Minh: Thirteen-Tastings Private Walking Food Tour: $28
- Saigon Food Tour and Vietnamese Coffee: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Ho Chi Minh City $20
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:
- 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
- 2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour : $80
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $219
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 2-Days tour at Cairo & Giza: $80
- 3-Day Cairo Top Attractions Exploration Tour: $180
- 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
- 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
- 3-Days Tour in Siwa Oasis from Cairo : $217
- 4-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza & Alexandria: $209
- 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $27
- All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Massage$5.59
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.89
- Saigon: Free Walking Tour: $2.08
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Double-Decker: $2.37
- Walking Tour: $5.00
- City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $7.00
- Saigon: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $7.00
- Saigon: City Sightseeing 45-Minute Panoramic Night Tour: $7.00
- Floating Village Eco-Tourism Tan Lap - Trekking Day Trip: $7.48
- Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- 3-Hours Trekking Tour to Hidden Waterfall and Sturgeon Farm: $8.21
- Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Independence Palace Ticket 2 in 1: $8.46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Ho Chi Minh City $7.98
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Beer$0.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, 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 Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Ho Chi Minh City?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Ho Chi Minh City, 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.
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.