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

Should you visit Cairo or Meknes?

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 Meknes 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 Meknes?

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.

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Meknes or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $19, while the average daily cost in Meknes is $61. 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 Meknes in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $8.75
    Meknes $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $18
    Meknes $56
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Meknes

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Meknes? 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 Meknes


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 Meknes Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.79
    Meknes $1.58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer: $1,170
  • Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights: $791
  • From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $305
  • 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Port Said Cruise Port: $297
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Int Airport (CAI) to Port Said Port: $297
  • Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Ain Sokhna Cruise Port: $275
  • Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Suez Canal Cruise Port: $275
  • Cairo To El Gouna Private Transfer: $275
  • Private Transfer from El Cairo to Luxor : $258
  • Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to El Alamein: $247
  • Private Transfer Cairo to Hurghada: $247

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Meknes

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

  • One Way Transfer from Fes To Chefchaouen Via Volubilis: $124
  • Private Transfer from fez to Rabat or from Rabat to Fes: $152

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Meknes?

Prices for flights to both Meknes 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 $7.68
    Meknes $27
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.

  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $6.64
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $6.64
  • 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • VIP Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,CamelRide,Shopping&DinnerCruise: $8.00
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
  • Private Tour Giza Pyramids , Sphinx & Dinner Nile cruise Show: $9.00
  • Felucca Ride , Nile Dinner Crusie and Food Tour: $10
  • Giza pyramids ,Sphinx ,Valley temple and Nile Dinner cruise tours: $10
  • Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Quad Bike ,Camel ride& Nile dinner cruise: $10

Typical Food Prices in Meknes

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:


  • Popcorn
    $0.22
  • Spices
    $2.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes

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

  • Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.38
    Meknes $3.84
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
    $0.79
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.07

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
  • 2-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza: $145
  • 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
  • 8-Hour Private Tour to Giza Pyramids, Memphis and Sakkara: $79
  • Adventure in the White Desert: $135
  • Alexandria day tour : $75
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
  • All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $93
  • Ancient Wonders Unveiled: Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur Adventure: $50
  • Antiquities in the Grande Egyptian Museum with Private Tour : $35
  • Bedouin Desert Safari Tours By Jeep 4x4 In Hurghada: $55

Tours and Activities in Meknes

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.

  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
  • Fes to Volubilis via Meknes and Moulay Idriss Day Tour: $43
  • Guided city Tour: $51
  • Guided Tour with Entrance Fees: $51
  • From Fez Guided Day Trip All Inclusive Tickets: $112
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $281

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.10
    Meknes $2.84

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: $61

Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.96


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Meknes, we can see that Meknes is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Meknes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Meknes 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 Meknes Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Meknes?

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

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 Meknes in the Summer?

Both Meknes and Cairo during the summer 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 Meknes year-round.

Cairo usually gets more rain in July than Meknes. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Meknes, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the summer, Cairo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Meknes. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Meknes receives 330 hours of full sun.

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


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

Should I visit Cairo or Meknes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Meknes. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Meknes. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Meknes this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Meknes during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Meknes receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cairo is a little warmer than Meknes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Meknes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Meknes 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Meknes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Meknes. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year.

Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Meknes. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Meknes. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Meknes receives 165 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Cairo is a little warmer than Meknes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Meknes averages at about 12°C (54°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Meknes 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Meknes in the Spring?

Both Meknes and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Meknes. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Meknes. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Meknes during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Meknes receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

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


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

Typical Weather for Meknes and Cairo

Cairo Meknes
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (65°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.3 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 16°C (61°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)