Which place is cheaper, Messina or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cairo or Messina?
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 Messina 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 Messina?
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.
Messina
Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Messina $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Messina is $127. 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 Messina in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.36Messina $70
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Messina $140
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Messina
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Messina? 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 Messina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.99Messina $24
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:
- Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $16
- Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
- Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Private Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx With Camel Ride,Lunch and Hotels Transfers: $27
- Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
- Private transfer from The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
- Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx Half Day Tour With Private Guide & Transfers : $135
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer in Cairo or Giza: $49
- Transfer from Anywhere in Cairo to Cairo International Airport: $25
- Transfers From Cairo Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from/to Cairo International Airport: $26
- 01 way Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cairo to Cairo Airport: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Messina?
Prices for flights to both Messina 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 dayCairo $4.75Messina $40
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.75Messina $23
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
- El Sultan Hassan Mosque Entry Ticket: $7.08
Tours and Activities in Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- Guided City Highlights Walking Tour: $47
- The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina: $84
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour: $87
- Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour: $87
- Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina: $98
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Taormina and Castelmola: Private tour: $149
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.17Messina $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Messina, we can see that Messina 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 Messina 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 Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina 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 Messina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Messina?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Messina, 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 Messina?
Messina 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 Messina in the Summer?
Both Messina and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Messina this time of year.
Cairo is around the same temperature as Messina in the summer. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Messina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Messina. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Messina 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Messina in the Autumn?
Both Messina and Cairo during the autumn 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 travelers come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Cairo is a little warmer than Messina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cairo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Messina averages at about 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Messina. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun.
Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Messina 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Messina in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Messina. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Messina in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Messina. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 14°C (57°F), and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Messina during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Messina. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Messina 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Messina in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Messina. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Cairo is a little warmer than Messina in the spring. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Messina. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Messina 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Messina and Cairo
| Cairo | Messina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.