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

Should you visit Cairo or Lyon?

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 Lyon 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 Lyon?

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.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon 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 Lyon is $136. 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 Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Lyon $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Lyon

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Lyon? 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 Lyon


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 Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Lyon $18
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:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $5.00
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private Transfer to Cairo and Giza from Cairo Airport: $9.00
  • Private Arrival or Departure Cairo Airport Transfer: $9.50
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel Royal: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Novotel Cairo El Borg: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from InterContinental Cairo Citystars to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Marriott Mena House, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to InterContinental Cairo Citystars: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Novotel Cairo El Borg to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Pickup transfer from Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $9.60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:


  • Funiculaire
    $5.63
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Luxury Van: $92
  • Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $86
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $79
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $93
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $86
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $94
  • Excellecar Private Driver - Stations & Airports Transfers: $82
  • Group transfer from Lyon airport to City Center: $118
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Val d'Isere/Espace Killy: Arrival Transfer: $76
  • Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer: $52
  • Lyon Exupery Airport to Les Deux La Clusaz Round Trip Transfer: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Lyon?

Prices for flights to both Lyon 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
    Lyon $45
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/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
  • Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
  • All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
  • Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22

Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.

  • Street Food Tour: $64
  • Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
  • Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
  • Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
  • Old Town Food Tour: $96
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
  • Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
  • Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.75
    Lyon $22
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:

  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.25
  • 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
  • All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
  • Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan Entry Ticket: $5.10
  • Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.15
  • Serapeum Of Saqqara Entry Tickets: $7.00
  • Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
  • Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.08

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $49

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
  • Hop-On Hop-Off City Cruise: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Lyon Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
  • Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Private Self-Guided Tour of the Curse Quest of Old Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
  • Lyon Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $9.61
  • Old Lyon Walking In App Audio Tour: $9.77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    Lyon $26

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.37
  • Bottle of Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
  • Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
  • Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
  • From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
  • Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
  • From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108


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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Lyon?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

Lyon 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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Lyon. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Lyon. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In October, Cairo is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. Cairo is much warmer than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Lyon. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Cairo during the spring 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 Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Lyon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lyon and Cairo

Cairo Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)