A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Playa de las Americas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Playa de las Americas?

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 Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas?

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.

Playa de las Americas

If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas is $209. 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 Playa de las Americas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Playa de las Americas $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Playa de las Americas $246
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Playa de las Americas

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Playa de las Americas? 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 Playa de las Americas


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 Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Playa de las Americas $60
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:

  • From Private Day Trip to Luxor w/ Transfer & Flights: $659
  • 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh: One-Way or Return Private Transfer: $290
  • Full-Day Private Trip to Fayoum from Cairo, with Transfer: $286
  • 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
  • From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $275
  • Private Transfer from El Cairo (CAI) Airport to Hurghada: $264
  • Private 3 Days in Giza Cairo and Alexandria including Free airport transfers: $250
  • Cairo To El Gouna Private Transfer: $248
  • Overnight camping White Desert (Baharaya Oasis) & Cairo Private Transfers: $240
  • Day Trip to Luxor East and West Bank from Cairo with private airport transfer and lunch included: $235

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Playa de las Americas?

Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas 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
    Playa de las Americas $48
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.75
    Playa de las Americas $32
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:

  • ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
  • 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $219
  • 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
  • 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
  • 3-Day Tour at Cairo & Giza : $200
  • 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
  • 4-Day Tours at Cairo & Giza & Alexandria: $209
  • 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
  • All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    Playa de las Americas $9.18


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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Playa de las Americas?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 2580 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Playa de las Americas, 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 Playa de las Americas?

Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas in the Summer?

Both Playa de las Americas 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.

In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Playa de las Americas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Playa de las Americas. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Playa de las Americas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.

In October, Cairo is generally around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Playa de las Americas during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Playa de las Americas. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Playa de las Americas. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cairo is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?

Both Playa de las Americas and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.

In the spring, Cairo is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa de las Americas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Playa de las Americas during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Playa de las Americas. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Cairo

Cairo Playa de las Americas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)