A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Lisbon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Lisbon?

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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon?

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.

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

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 in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is $142. 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 Lisbon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Lisbon $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Lisbon

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Lisbon? 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.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in Lisbon


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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Lisbon $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • 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 Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    $7.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Private Transfer to Cascais | Sintra | Estoril: $29
  • Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $33
  • Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $60
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $95
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Luxury Van: $95
  • Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $87
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City by Luxury Van: $48
  • Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $65
  • Cascais transfer: Private Transfer to/from Cascais or Lisbon: $59
  • Departure Private Transfer by Business Car from Lisbon to Lisbon airport LIS: $37
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
  • Fátima Private Transfer:To/From the Lisbon Airport: $203

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Lisbon?

Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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 day
    Cairo $4.75
    Lisbon $46
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.

  • 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 Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Tapas Food Tour: $37
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $53
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $54
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $63
  • Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.75
    Lisbon $26
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
    $0.84
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.07
  • Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.28
  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.25
  • Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.25
  • Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $3.25
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.79
  • Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.33
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.33
  • Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.33
  • Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.33
  • Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    Lisbon $20

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 Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
  • Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
  • Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $42
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch: $52


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Lisbon?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?

Lisbon 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 Lisbon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Lisbon. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the summer, Cairo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Lisbon. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Lisbon in the Autumn?

Both Lisbon and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Cairo is a little warmer than Lisbon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Lisbon in the Winter?

Both Lisbon 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cairo is a little warmer than Lisbon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Lisbon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Lisbon. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun.

Lisbon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Lisbon. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Lisbon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Lisbon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

In April, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Lisbon and Cairo

Cairo Lisbon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)