Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 an incredibly affordable city, 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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 $9.36Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Kuala Lumpur $72
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 $2.99Kuala Lumpur $6.41
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:
- transfer from Cairo airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $20
- private transfer from or to cairo international Airport: $15
- one transfer from airport to Cairo Giza hotels or hotels to Cairo airport: $22
- VIP Meet and Assist at Cairo Airport with Private Hotel Transfer: $35
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo APT-HTL (CAI): $33
- Transfer your private departure from your hotel to Cairo Airport: $20
- Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
- Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor (sharing ): $109
- Transfer from Cairo to Alexandria ( Private ): $55
- Transfer from Cairo to Ain El Sokhna : $70
- Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $11
- Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotels in Cairo or Giza : $18
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$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Kuala Lumpur: $34
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $268
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $173
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Van Transfer: $76
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel To Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA KLIA2 Transfer: $50
- Airport Arrival Transfer-VIP Class: $200
- Airport Private Transfer: KLIA/ KLIA 2 to or from Hotel (6 seater): $48
- Airport Transfer from/to KLIA /KLIA 2: $25
- Airport to Hotel Drop Off Transfer (Kuala Lumpur): $50
- Airport transfer : $40
- Aquaria KLCC E-Ticket with One Way Transfer: $42
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $114
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 $4.75Kuala Lumpur $15
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
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
- Cairo Night Dinner With Belly Dancer Show With Pickup & Drop Off: $13
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $15
- Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $18
- 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
- All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
- Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
- Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $23
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$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
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:
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $48
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $50
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $55
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $58
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
- Private Malaysian Cooking Class With A Professional Chef: $64
- Firefly Park Kuala Selangor Seafood Dinner and Free Boat Ride: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Kuala Lumpur $13
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 Tour Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour: $290
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
- 3-Day Cairo Top Attractions Exploration Tour: $180
- 3-Day Tour at Cairo & Giza : $200
- 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
- 3-Days Tour in Siwa Oasis from Cairo : $217
- 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $26
- All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
- All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $79
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)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.91
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $9.78
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.78
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Suburbs and Batu Caves Half-Day Tour: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $13
- Kl Tower Admission Ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Kuala Lumpur $6.21
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 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$9.43
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.