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

Should you visit Cairo or Port Elizabeth?

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 Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth?

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.

Port Elizabeth

Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, and The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth is $44. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Port Elizabeth $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Port Elizabeth $46
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Port Elizabeth

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth


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 Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Port Elizabeth $9.56
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

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Port Elizabeth?

Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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
    Port Elizabeth $14
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
    Port Elizabeth $9.37
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

Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth

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

  • Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $45
  • Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $72
  • Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $131
  • Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $144
  • Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $180
  • From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $349
  • 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,493

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    Port Elizabeth $2.58


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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Port Elizabeth?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Port Elizabeth. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Port Elizabeth, 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 Port Elizabeth?

Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Port Elizabeth. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.

In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Port Elizabeth. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Port Elizabeth averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port Elizabeth this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Port Elizabeth during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Port Elizabeth receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Port Elizabethin January. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Port Elizabeth 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Port Elizabeth in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Port Elizabeth. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Port Elizabethin April. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port Elizabeth. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Port Elizabethin April. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port Elizabeth receives 221 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Port Elizabethin April. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Port Elizabeth 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Port Elizabeth in the Winter?

Both Port Elizabeth and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.

Cairo is around the same temperature as Port Elizabeth in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Port Elizabeth fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Port Elizabeth. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Port Elizabeth during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Port Elizabeth receives 228 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Port Elizabethin July. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Port Elizabeth 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Port Elizabeth in the Spring?

Both Port Elizabeth 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.

In the spring, Cairo is a little warmer than Port Elizabeth. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Port Elizabeth averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

In Port Elizabeth, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Port Elizabethin October. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port Elizabeth receives 236 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Port Elizabethin October. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Port Elizabeth receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Port Elizabeth 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Port Elizabeth and Cairo

Cairo Port Elizabeth
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)