Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 Madrid?
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 Madrid 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 Madrid?
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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
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 from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesMadrid Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $30Madrid $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $30, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $188. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Madrid $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Madrid $180
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Madrid? 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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.46Madrid $21
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:
- From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer: $1,440
- Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights: $791
- Cairo To Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $511
- From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $489
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- 3-Days Private Guided Tour Package Covering all Cairo,Lunch and Airport Transfer: $300
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Pickup Transfers From Cairo To Luxor By Bus: $295
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Hurghada: $292
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Sharm El-Sheikh: $292
- Private Transfer Cairo to Hurghada: $290
- Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Ain Sokhna Cruise Port: $283
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid- Barajas Airport private transfer, Pick up.: $96
- Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $67
- Arrival Private Transfer from MAD Airport to Madrid in a Minibus: $182
- Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $101
- Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Business Car: $88
- Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Luxury Van: $98
- Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51
- Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $50
- Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Madrid City: $34
- Madrid Private Transfer to/from Barajas Airport & City Hotel: $87
- Madrid to Madrid Airport (MAD) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 $16Madrid $69
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: $4.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $6.30
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $6.30
- Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $7.20
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $7.20
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $7.20
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $8.00
- Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.10
- Giza pyramids, Sphinx, ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise&shopping: $8.10
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.10
- Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $8.10
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.10
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.33
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Ice Cream$3.49
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Kebabs (for 2)$18
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Croissant$1.75
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $59
- Madrid Paella and Churros Cooking Class Ham and Wines Tasting: $70
- Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $75
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $77
- Madrid : Paella and Churros cooking class, ham and wines tasting: $77
- Traditional Cooking Class of Sardines with Dish Auction in Madrid: $81
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $91
- Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $100
- Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $105
- Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $105
- Madrid Tapas & Paella Cooking Experience with Local Market Visit: $112
- Madrid Food Tour Tasting the Heart of the City: $138
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.27Madrid $38
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$0.76
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$5.89
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
- "The Great Pyramids & Grand Museum: Luxury Private Day Tour": $60
- (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
- 01 Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $246
- 01 Day Tour to Pyramids , Museum and Khan Elkhalili: $217
- 1 Day Private Tour from Hurghada to Cairo: $218
- 1 Day Private Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $100
- 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour Around Giza Pyramids: $30
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour around Giza Pyramids: $38
- 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
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $3.53
- Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only): $3.53
- Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.53
- Madrid Historical Walking Tour: $3.53
- "Prado Museum" Tour A Treasure of World Art: $3.54
- Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.54
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.72
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.12
- Madrid Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $5.90
- Manzanares River’s Story: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Madrid: $5.99
- Madrid Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Madrid Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Surreal Adventure Game: $7.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.34Madrid $23
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 Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.82
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl: Open Bar, Shots & VIP Entry (Shoko & Fitz): $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: Bars, Shots and Club Entry: $20
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $58
- New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $81
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Old Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Tour - Real Small Groups 8 Max: $99
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour: Local Bars & Spanish Wine Tasting: $112
- Eating Not Just Another Tapas and Wine Tour: $114
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour with Rooftop Views and Local Guide: $116
- Toledo Tour & Vineyard Experience with Wine Tasting from Madrid: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Madrid?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Madrid. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Madrid, 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.