Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also a fairly affordable city by global standards, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $31Kuala Lumpur $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $31, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $85. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Kuala Lumpur $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Kuala Lumpur $84
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.53Kuala Lumpur $7.42
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$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- private transfer from Cairo to Alexandria: $95
- private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza: $35
- VIP Meet and assist with transfer from Cairo and SPX Airport: $11
- VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer from Cairo Airport: $39
- VIP Meet and Assist in Cairo Airport with Private Transfer to Cairo Hotels: $49
- VIP Meet and Assist at Cairo Airport with Private Hotel Transfer: $35
- VIP Ain Sokhna Red Sea Day Trip from Cairo with Private Transfer: $72
- Two-Day Private City Tour of Cairo, Giza Pyramids and Saqqara+Airport Transfer: $198
- Transfer your private departure from your hotel to Cairo Airport: $20
- Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $226
- Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor city by private Cars: $170
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.67
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.78
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Short Taxi Ride$3.67
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Taxi From Airport$22
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Bus from Airport$1.96
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.94
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Train to Airport$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- °Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $112
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport: $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel TO Kuala Lumpur Hotel Door to Door Transfer: $59
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel To Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA KLIA2 Transfer: $50
- Airport Transfer From KLIA T1 /KLIA T2 to KL City Centre: $25
- Airport Transfer Private From/To KLIA, KLIA2: $22
- Airport transfer: $100
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Car: $102
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $140
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to IPOH: $200
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Lumut Jetty: $186
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Singapore: $270
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $16Kuala Lumpur $30
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.
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $7.00
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $8.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.00
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.79
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.52
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour With 15+ Tastings Near KLCC: $42
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 12+ Authentic Dishes & Local Secrets: $54
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $62
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies Tour include Dinner + Free Boat-Ride: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.46Kuala Lumpur $16
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$0.78
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.02
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Private Half-Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids Saqqara and Memphis: $25
- ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
- (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
- 01 Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $246
- 01 Day Tour to Pyramids Of Giza Memphis And Sakkara: $86
- 1 Day Private Tour in Cairo and Giza: $90
- 1 Day Private Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $100
- 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
- 1 Day tour to Giza pyramids Memphis city Dahshur and Saqqara pyramids: $15
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour Around Giza Pyramids: $30
- 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
- 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.22
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuala Lumpur at Your Own Pace: The Complete Self-Guided Tour: $1.15
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.38
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets Cable Car Ticket: $6.40
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Guided Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- Kuala Lumpur Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Science Centre Visit Entry Ticket: $9.56
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket: $11
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.37Kuala Lumpur $6.77
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kuala Lumpur
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kuala Lumpur:
- Hidden Bar Hopping With A Local - Bar Crawl: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Kuala Lumpur?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Cairo or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Kuala Lumpur. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Kuala Lumpur. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun.
Cairo is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur in the summer. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Cairo is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cairo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Cairo during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun.
In January, Cairo is generally much colder than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 14°C (57°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun in the spring.
Cairo is cooler than Kuala Lumpur in the spring. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Cairo
| Cairo | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.