Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cairo or Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $17Reykjavik $246
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $246. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $9.27Reykjavik $139
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $19Reykjavik $278
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $2.96Reykjavik $46
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$0.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- transfer from Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels to Alexandria: $50
- transfer from Cairo airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $20
- private transfer from or to cairo international Airport: $15
- VIP Meet and Assist in Cairo Airport with Private Transfer to Cairo Hotels: $49
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo HTL-APT (CAI): $33
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo APT-HTL (CAI): $33
- Transfer your private departure from your hotel to Cairo Airport: $20
- Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada : $112
- Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor (sharing ): $109
- Transfer from Hurghada to Cairo by van : $235
- Transfer from Cairo to Ain El Sokhna : $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hveragerdi to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Deparure Private Transfer: $68
- Airport Transfer (One way) between Keflavik and Reykjavik: $200
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City With Hotel Drop Off: $36
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $29
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way: $28
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket Including Transfer: $268
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $163
- Blue Lagoon One Way Transfer: $185
- Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $45
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $476
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $308
- From Reykjavik Port: Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $1,050
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 $4.70Reykjavik $30
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.
- Cairo Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
- Giza Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
- Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
- Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $13
- Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
- 2-Hour Nile River Night Dinner Cruise from Cairo: $16
- Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $18
- Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
- Dinner Cruise Cairo With Belly Dancer Show in The Nile River: $20
- Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, ATV, shopping Tour and Dinner cruise: $20
- Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive dinner with a local family - Visit a Reykjavík home: $98
- Icelandic Food Tour: $124
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $145
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $209
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $5.69Reykjavik $72
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$0.84
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.43
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-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
- 3-Day Cairo Top Attractions Exploration Tour: $180
- 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
- 3-Days Tour at Cairo (Customized Package): $229
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$11
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Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Reykjavík: City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Reykjavik Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Reykjavik Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.07
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Explore Reykjavik's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Citywalk Tour - Audioguide in English & German: $11
- Skip the Line: Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket: $18
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $18
- Was James Bond Icelandic? Ticket with One Hour Lecture: $23
- Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.16Reykjavik $28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$8.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Reykjavik?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Reykjavik. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Cairo is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavik. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
Both Reykjavik and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In the autumn, Cairo is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cairo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Reykjavik in the Winter?
Both Reykjavik and Cairo during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In January, Cairo is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 14°C (57°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the winter, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.
Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Reykjavik in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Reykjavik. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. Cairo is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Cairo
| Cairo | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.