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

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Should you visit Cairo or Rome?

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 Rome 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 Rome?

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.

Rome

Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 $32, while the average daily cost in Rome is $236. 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 Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $11
    Rome $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    Rome $206
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Rome? 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 Rome


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 Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.64
    Rome $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • 01 way Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel in Cairo: $13
  • 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Ride At Giza Pyramids With Private Transfer: $30
  • 1 Way Pick up transfer from Cairo to Hurghada by private Car: $80
  • 1 Way Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Le Meridien Heliopolis: $18
  • 2 Day Cairo Tour upon arrival day with airport transfer: $138
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $200
  • 2 Days Tours package Include airport transfers (Cairo & Alexandria): $208
  • 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
  • 2 Private day tours in Giza pyramids and Cairo city with 2 airport Transfers: $155
  • 2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including Free Transfer from Airport: $126
  • 2-Day Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $250

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.28
  • Train to the Airport
    $17
  • Taxi to Airport
    $51
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Airport Transfer from Fiumicino to Rome City (or viceversa): $104
  • Airport Transfer: Ciampino Airport CIA to Rome by Business Car: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $122
  • Airport Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Luxury Van: $138
  • Airport Transfer: Rome to Ciampino Airport CIA by Luxury Van: $108
  • Airport Transfers Rome Centre to and from Fiumicino and Ciampino: $64
  • Airport to Hotel in Rome Private Transfer: $244
  • Airport to Rome Private Transfer: $244
  • Airport transfer Ciampino to Rome: $104
  • Airport transfer from (FCO) to Port or viceversa: $209
  • Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $122
  • Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Luxury Car: $161

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome 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 $17
    Rome $95
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.

  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $6.75
  • 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
  • Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $7.00
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping,Dinner cruiseII: $8.00
  • Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise Belly Dancer Tanora Show Dinner Buffet: $8.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.00

Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $16
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.41
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.56
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $3.02
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $36
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.28
  • Dinner
    $66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Rome Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $40
  • Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
  • Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine: $41
  • Roman Dinner after History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $44
  • Pizza Cooking Class in Rome - Near Piazza Navona: $45
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
  • Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
  • Fettuccine Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $46
  • Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $47
  • Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
  • The Original Fettuccine & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome: $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $8.71
    Rome $41
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
    $0.81
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.20

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Top Luxury PrivateTour Giza Pyramids,Grand Egyptian MuseumFelucca: $2.00
  • Best All-In-One Tour: Giza Pyramids,Sphinx &Grand Egyptian Museum: $2.50
  • Giza Pyramids (FREE Camel, inside Pyramid & free Nile Cruise): $3.00
  • Best-Selling Giza Pyramids Tour: Camel Ride, Lunch &Private Guide: $4.00
  • Budget-Friendly Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Tour: $4.00
  • VIP All-Inclusive Grand Egyptian Museum,Pyramids & Quad Bike Tour: $4.00
  • Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.50
  • Luxury Private Pyramids Tour with Lunch and Camel Ride: $5.00
  • private tour Shopping tours : papyrus perfume gold ,silver cartouche: $5.00
  • VIP Private Tour Giza Pyramid camel ride and inside 3rd Pyramid: $5.00
  • Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar & Old Cairo Free Tour: $5.00
  • Ancient Egypt Journey: Giza, Saqqara & Dahshur Private Experience: $5.00

Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $79
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $38
  • Roma Pass
    $34
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $23
  • Segway Tour
    $86

Tours and Activities in Rome

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

  • Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $2.28
  • Historical Walking Tour in Rome City Center with Hidden Gems: $3.71
  • Hidden Treasures — A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.63
  • Experience Rome Trevi Fountain with Ticket: $4.64
  • Audio guided tour of the historic center of Rome: $4.64
  • Colosseum and Roman Forum Sightseeing Area Walking Tour: $4.64
  • Rome:Pantheon Entry Ticket with Hosted Experience and Audio Guide: $5.22
  • Pantheon Admission Ticket : Audio Guide or Guided Tour: $5.79
  • What Emperor Hadrian Lost: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ancient Rome: $5.99
  • Testaccio: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Rome's Food Traditions: $6.10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - The gods of the Palatine: $6.72
  • Rome Walking Tour 2h40 and 23 audio commentary: $6.84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.42
    Rome $21

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: $70

Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.41
  • Pint of Beer
    $7.23
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $22
  • Unique Wine Tasting in Enoteca in Rome San Pietro Area: $32
  • Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
  • Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
  • Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
  • Rome Wine Tasting in Monte dei Cocci | Authentic Lazio Wines: $45
  • Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $49
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $52
  • Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $56
  • Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $58
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $64
  • Rome Bar Crawl: Interactive Night Tour with Games and Karaoke: $75

How are these travel costs calculated?

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Rome?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rome. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Rome, 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 Rome?

Rome 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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome 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 city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In July, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rome during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Rome. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome 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. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cairo is a little warmer than Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Rome. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Rome 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Rome in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Rome. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cairo is much warmer than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Rome during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Rome. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Rome in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Rome. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Cairo is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Rome. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Cairo

Cairo Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 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.
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